| |
Compiled by: Orla O'Hagan | |
Welcome to the SBNI Online Safety Hub Highlights
| |
The Online Safety Hub is a central place where young people, parents, carers, and professionals can find practical advice about child safety online, all in one easy-to-use site. It’s updated regularly with resources from trusted organisations as part of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Keeping children and young people safe: an Online Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Inside the Hub, you’ll find an adult section with core messaging and signposting on key online safety topics, a library of resources, sample policy templates, and a research and evidence bank to keep you informed. There’s also a Young Person’s Hub offering supportive, non-judgemental guidance for under-13s and teens to help them manage their online lives safely and confidently. To make it even easier to explore, the Hub offers new video tours for adults and young people that guide you through its features.
The Hub is designed for sharing. Feel free to take, use, and share the resources widely within your networks. You can also help us grow by submitting your organisation’s content using the details below. | |
| |
| |
Concerned about a child or young person? | | | |
| |
| |
The ReachDeck toolbar makes the hub content more available to everyone. The button shown below is located on every page and it can help with speech, reading and translation support. | |
| |
| |
| |
Understanding Risk, Barriers and Facilitators to Reporting Technology Assisted Child Sexual Abuse Source: Ulster University
| |
Ulster University has published new research for the SBNI examining why children and young people rarely disclose online sexual abuse. Drawing on a systematic review of international evidence, the report highlights that deeper vulnerabilities such as loneliness, low self-esteem, difficult family circumstances and previous experiences of abuse play a greater role in risk than awareness levels alone. Children are frequently targeted by offenders using fake profiles on platforms with weak age verification, while encryption and limited platform accountability allow grooming to go undetected. Shame, fear of images being shared and uncertainty about whether their experiences constitute abuse further prevent children from seeking help, with disclosures more often made to peers than adults. The report calls for stronger accountability from online platforms and the full implementation and enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2023.
| |
| |
UK Government Launches New ‘You Won’t Know Until You Ask’ CampaignSource: GOV.UK
| |
The UK Government has launched a national campaign, You Won’t Know Until You Ask, to help parents and carers have open and confident conversations with children about harmful online content. Led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the campaign includes a new online safety resource hub offering step by step guidance on safety settings and parental controls, conversation prompts, and advice on reporting concerns. The campaign reflects research showing that while many parents feel confident using online platforms, fewer understand the content their children encounter online, and it encourages families to explore online spaces together and use open questions to support regular conversations about children’s online experiences.
| |
| |
Safer Internet Day 2026 Source: UK Safer Internet Centre
| |
Safer Internet Day took place on 10 February with the theme “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.” The campaign encouraged conversations across schools, families and communities about the growing role of AI in young people’s lives, from the content they see to risks such as scams or AI generated images. To support this, the UK Safer Internet Centre released a suite of free, ready‑to‑use educational resources available in English, Irish and Welsh for ages 3 to 7, 7 to 11 and 14 to 18, including presentation slides, classroom activities and a whole‑school assembly. The materials remain relevant and can be used at any time. Two webinars for educators, supported by the Education Authority and the SBNI, introduced the campaign theme and demonstrated how to use the resources across schools, colleges and youth settings, and these sessions are now available to watch back. | |
| |
Guidance on the Safe Use of AI Generated Images
Source: Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland
| |
The SBNI, in partnership with the Education Authority, the PSNI and Safer Schools NI, has issued a joint letter and education alert to schools, colleges, youth organisations and other settings working with children and young people. The alert outlines increasing concerns regarding the misuse of AI to create or manipulate harmful and sexualised images of children. It notes that AI tools are capable of generating highly realistic fabricated images or altering existing photographs in ways that may cause significant distress and harm. Parents and carers are encouraged to seek support if they have concerns and to engage in open discussions with children about responsible online behaviour. The alert further emphasises that the creation, possession or distribution of AI generated or digitally altered sexualised images of anyone under 18 is illegal and constitutes child sexual abuse material. Agencies stress that these legal provisions exist to safeguard children and that any concerns raised will be addressed with sensitivity and a clear focus on protection. | |
| |
The Digital Proficiency Course Source: INEQE Safeguarding Group - Safer Schools NI
| |
The latest Safer Schools NI Digital Proficiency Course is now live and available in the Safer Schools NI Web and Mobile App. Decades ago, ‘Cycling Proficiency’ taught us to navigate the physical world safely; today, that ‘road’ has extended into the digital world. Our safety messages, conversations, and education must remain paramount in this new sphere. The Digital Proficiency Course is a video-based programme, based on the “5 C’s” of online risk: Content, Contact, Conduct, Commerce, and Cyber Security. With short, age-appropriate episodic modules for all learners that include practical safeguarding and online safety advice, the course is also designed with younger children in mind, including a short, animated story (also available as a physical and digital book) for teacher-led environments. The course is designed to help educate, empower and protect children and adults with a foundational knowledge to navigate the online world safely. You can access the course and test in the Safer Schools NI Web and Mobile App today. | |
| |
| |
A Healthy Influence? Children’s Exposure to Appearance Changing Products Online
Source: Children’s Commissioner | |
The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a new report on children’s exposure to appearance changing products online. Based on a survey of 2,000 young people aged 13 to 17 and follow up focus groups, the research found that many children routinely see content promoting prescription only weight loss drugs, muscle building supplements and beauty procedures. 41% of children reported seeing advertising for prescription only weight loss drugs such as Ozempic or Mounjaro, despite such advertising being illegal in the UK. 78% of children said exposure to appearance changing products had a negative impact on their self-esteem and that viewing unrealistic body standards created pressure to change their appearance.
| |
| |
Parentline NI Podcast: Be Cyber Safe NI Source: Children in Northern Ireland | |
The Parentline NI Podcast features a special three‑part youth‑led mini‑series created by Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) in partnership with the NSPCC. Through this takeover, the Be Cyber Safe NI youth advisory group share honest, personal and sometimes challenging reflections on what life online really looks like from their side of the screen. The series is a must‑listen for any parent, carer or professional working with children, offering meaningful insight into how young people experience the digital world and the support that makes a real difference.
| |
| |
Young People’s Use of VPNs Source: Childnet | |
Childnet, a partner in the UK Safer Internet Centre, working in collaboration with Nominet, has published new research exploring young people’s use of virtual private networks. The study surveyed 2,018 children aged 8 to 17 and 2,000 parents and carers across the UK. The findings reveal that although a widely reported surge in VPN use in July 2025 was often linked to the enforcement of age‑verification requirements under the Online Safety Act, this increase cannot be attributed to children and young people.
| |
| |
Understanding and Responding to Girls’ and Boys’ Online Experiences Source: Internet Matters | |
Internet Matters has released a briefing exploring differences in girls’ and boys’ online experiences, based on the organisation’s annual UK survey of 1,000 children aged 9 to 16 and their parents. The report shows that boys’ and girls’ online behaviours are becoming increasingly similar, with both spending comparable amounts of time chatting with friends and using social media, and both holding broadly positive views about their time online. However, many still encounter harm, with 69% of girls and 66% of boys reporting at least one negative incident. Girls are more likely than boys to be contacted by strangers or receive abusive or upsetting messages from peers, while boys are more likely to respond by using platform‑based tools or safety features. The briefing recommends mandating robust age assurance and supporting schools and teachers to deliver strong media and digital literacy education.
| |
| |
Safer Internet Day Research – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI
Source: UK Safer Internet Centre
| |
For Safer Internet Day, Nominet and the UK Safer Internet Centre published research examining how children and young people in the UK are using AI. Drawing on survey data from 2,000 parents and 2,000 children aged 8 to 17, supported by school focus groups, the report shows that 97% of young people have used AI in some form. 60% are worried that someone could use AI to create inappropriate images of them, 65% of parents and carers share this concern, and 75% of young people think the government should introduce more rules to keep children safe. The research also found that 41% of teenagers feel their peers rely heavily on AI for emotional support, with 14% using AI tools to discuss issues they do not feel able to talk about with anyone else. The report calls for improved support for schools so that online safety education keeps pace with rapid developments in AI technology.
| |
| |
HSC App Library Source: Health and Social Care Northern Ireland
| |
Health and Social Care Northern Ireland has launched an App Library to help people access reliable digital tools to support their health and wellbeing. The App Library is managed by Digital Health and Care Northern Ireland in partnership with ORCHA and offers more than 1,000 reviewed apps assessed for safety, privacy and usability. It includes a range of apps for children and young people, supporting confidence, resilience and mental wellbeing, as well as resources to help Year 8 pupils adjust to secondary school. Many also provide mood‑tracking tools, calming activities and practical guidance for parents and carers.
| |
| |
Statistics Briefing on Online Harm and Abuse
Source: NSPCC Learning
| |
NSPCC Learning has released an updated statistic briefing on online harm, combining official data with children’s self-reported experiences. The briefing supports professionals to make evidence informed decisions about preventing and responding to online abuse. Findings show that 19% of children aged 10 to 15 had messaged someone they had never met offline, and more than 9,000 child sexual abuse offences in 2023 to 2024 involved an online element. According to the briefing, around one sixth of people experiencing online harassment were under 18, and under 18s accounted for almost a quarter of reported online blackmail victims across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
| |
| |
| |
Has this newsletter been forwarded on to you? | |
Make sure you never miss an edition by signing up to receive our Online Safety Hub Highlights Newsletter, straight to your inbox. You'll receive updates on safeguarding and child protection news, events, guidance and resources. | |
| |
Support If you have any questions about the Online Safety Hub or would like to contact the SBNI, please use the details below: Phone: 028 9536 0260 Email: SBNI.info@hscni.net | |
| |
.png)
