The Online Safety Hub brings together advice and resources from a range of partner organisations so young people, carers and professionals can easily access advice and resources all in one central place. The Young Person’s Hub has supportive and non-judgemental advice for under 13s and 13s and older to help them to manage their online lives safely.
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Recently added resources
Guidance for Schools on Pupils’ Personal Use of Mobile Phones and other Similar Devices During the School Day
Source: Department of Education
The Department of Education has issued new guidance to support school leaders in restricting the personal use of mobile phones throughout the school day, including at break and lunch times. The Guidance recommends that pupils do not use their mobile phones during the school day and that phones should not in normal circumstances be brought into primary schools. It sets out a range of potential approaches to restricting the use of mobile phones in schools and key practical issues that should be considered and are likely to form part of a school’s policy approach on mobile phone use.
Growing Up Online in NI: spotlight report on girls’ experiences of being online
Source: SBNI
This spotlight report, drawing on evidence from the larger Growing Up Online research study, has helped to shine a light on the online experiences of girls in Northern Ireland. This report highlights the many noted benefits to being online experienced by girls (to socialise, explore interests, and learn new skills). However, it also sheds light on the darker aspects, with insights into girls’ experiences of receiving unsolicited messages and images of a sexual nature. It recommends greater education and training, and involvement of young people in the design and delivery of resources.
Insight briefing on young people’s experiences of online sexual extortion, or ‘sextortion
Source: NSPCC Learning
Drawing from contacts to Childline and the NSPCC Helpline in 2023/24, the briefing explores: how sextortion occurs and how it can escalate; the impact on young people’s mental wellbeing; how to spot the signs; and how to talk to young people who may be at risk. It also provides guidance for reporting and preventing incidents of sextortion.
Microsoft Dream Space and RTÉ Learn have teamed up to present brAIn_waves - a new series exploring the technology of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for all schools and the youth sector across the island of Ireland. The brAIn_waves series for post-primary students is a four-part series accompanied with an educator guide which explores the fundamentals of AI and its impact on our everyday lives with specific lesson areas including algorithms and data to machine learning and ethics.
Shifting the dial: Methods to prevent ‘self-generated’ child sexual abuse among 11-13-year-olds
Source: Internet Matters
Internet Matters has published a report on preventing ‘self-generated’ child sexual abuse material among 11- to 13-year-olds. This research reports supports the need for a wide range of tools and approaches when teaching children about sexual image-sharing. It highlights the need for tailored interventions and prevention messages by gender.
Digital Dilemmas: Parents’ perspectives on restricting children’s smartphone and social media use
Source: Internet Matters
In response to the debate on restricting children’s access to smartphones and social media, Internet Matters commissioned research to understand UK parents’ views on this issue. The research, conducted in June 2024, is based on a representative survey of 1,000 parents of children aged 7-16 and two focus groups with mums and dads. It shows that while parents value their autonomy when it comes to their child’s engagement with technology and time spent online, the research also underscores that parents’ felt there was a critical role for industry, regulators and government to play in keeping children safe online.
Source: Education Authority / UK Safer Internet Centre
Earlier in 2024, the Education Authority partnered with the UK Safer Internet Centre and South West Grid for Learning(SWGfL) to host a series of online safety briefings for educators and wider professionals who work with children and young people. The recording of the session is available to watch back.
Safer Schools NI have published a guide for children and young people to reach for when the news is overwhelming. This one-page handout offers practical advice for managing emotions, verifying sources, and staying safe online.
The IWF has published an update report on AI-generated child sexual abuse material looking at changes in the landscape since its first report in October 2023. The findings show an increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse images have been uploaded on to the same dark web forum.
Earlier this year the National Crime Agency (NCA) in collaboration with the SBNI, Police Service of NI and Education Authority, issued an alert to education settings to raise awareness of financially motivated sexual extortion - a type of online blackmail widely known as ‘sextortion’. The alert gives advice about spotting the signs of this type of abuse, supporting young people and encouraging them to seek help. It also includes guidance to be disseminated to parents and carers on how to talk to their child about sextortion, and how to support them if they become a victim – aiming to take away the stigma surrounding the topic and, in turn, power away from those who wish to harm them.
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