Teaching teens about wealth - and threat of scammers

In 2024, Dylan Kennedy, Charlie Dupuis and Hubert Kozlowski participated with a project on financial literacy, and this year, Dylan and Charlie are back in the contest, this time with Brian Wycherley, in a progression of last year’s work.

Under the supervision of teacher Eva Acton, the three have focused on a project which they have titled Comprehensive Financial Literacy, Fraud Awareness and Investment Strategy, which focuses on ways of helping teens build wealth while protecting themselves from financial scams.

“Our goal is to tackle two critical issues, the lack of financial literacy and the growing risk of online fraud. By equipping teenagers with the skills to save, invest, and identify fraudulent schemes, we aim to promote smarter financial decision-making and contribute to Ireland’s economic growth,” says Charlie.

They have created ‘Safe Invest’, which Brian explains is a comprehensive course that covers key financial concepts, practical tools, and insights into fraud prevention, all tailored specifically for teens.

Through it, teens can learn to evaluate real-world stocks and understand the risk tolerance through Safe Invest’s custom-built investment index.

To build awareness of the threat from fraudsters, the boys highlight common online scams, phishing tactics, and fraud schemes using case studies from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau.

The results speak for themselves, says Dylan: “Teens who completed our course showed a 40% improvement in financial literacy and a higher awareness of fraud prevention strategies. What makes Safe Invest unique is its real-world application. By combining financial education with hands-on tools and fraud awareness, we’re equipping the next generation with the skills to succeed in today’s economy.”

He said their vision is to scale the programme nationally, reaching every Irish teenager with the tools they need to build wealth responsibly and protect themselves from financial fraud.