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Compiled by: Orla O'Hagan |
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Welcome to the SBNI Online Safety Hub Highlights
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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.
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Concerned about a child or young person? |
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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. |
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Dangerous by Design: Evidence for Action on Online Violence Against Women and Girls Source: Refuge and the End Violence Against Women Coalition
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Refuge and the End Violence Against Women Coalition have published a new report examining the scale and impact of online violence against women and girls (VAWG) across the UK. Based on a survey of 2,000 women and girls, the report highlights high levels of online misogyny, harassment, sexual violence and image-based abuse, particularly among young women. The report also raises concerns about the role of emerging technologies, including AI, in facilitating harm and calls for stronger regulation, greater platform accountability and improved protections for women and girls online. |
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Public Consultation on Mobile Phone-Free Schools Source: Department of Education |
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The Department of Education has launched a public consultation on measures to support mobile phone-free schools in Northern Ireland. The consultation seeks views on whether current guidance is sufficient or whether stronger measures, including potential legislation restricting pupil use of mobile phones during the school day, should be introduced. It also explores how any new approach could be implemented in practice, including possible exemptions, and considers the potential benefits, risks and unintended consequences of policy change. The consultation closes on 19 November 2026.
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Power to Change Campaign: Online Words Have Offline ConsequencesSource: Police Service of Northern Ireland
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The latest phase of the Power to Change campaign focuses on the role that online attitudes and behaviours can play in contributing to violence against women and girls. Supported by the Department of Justice and The Executive Office, the campaign encourages men and boys to reflect on how content shared through social media, gaming platforms, group chats and online communities can normalise misogyny and harmful behaviours. It promotes positive action, encouraging young people to challenge harmful content, support those targeted by abuse and think critically about what they see and share online. A range of resources are available for schools, youth services, parents, carers and professionals to help start conversations about respect, relationships and online behaviour.
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Online Harm Groups: New Professional Guidance Source: NCA CEOP Education
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CEOP Education has published new guidance for professionals working with children and young people on the threat posed by online harm groups, sometimes known as 'Com' groups. The guidance focuses on harm-focused groups involved in extortion and child sexual abuse offending and aims to help professionals build understanding of the threat, recognise signs that a child or young person may be at risk, respond appropriately to concerns, and strengthen preventative safeguarding activity. Additional resources are also available for parents, carers and young people.
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Media Literacy Resources
Source:
Nerve Centre
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Nerve Centre, in partnership with Ofcom, has launched a range of free resources to support media literacy education in primary and post-primary schools. The resources help children and young people develop critical thinking skills and explore topics including misinformation, disinformation, AI-generated content and online information risks. A free webinar for parents, carers and professionals is also available.
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Understanding and Responding to AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (AI-CSAM) Source: IWF and NCA CEOP
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The Internet Watch Foundation and NCA CEOP Education have published guidance to help parents, carers and professionals understand and respond to the risks associated with AI-generated child sexual abuse material (AI-CSAM). The resources include a guide for parents and carers on topics such as image consent, deepfakes and online safety conversations, alongside updated guidance for professionals and volunteers on recognising safeguarding concerns, responding to incidents involving AI-generated imagery and applying current best practice.
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Online Safety Mini Webinars Source: SBNI and Childnet
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SBNI and Childnet have launched a series of free online safety mini webinars to help parents and carers recognise and respond to key online harms. Shaped by feedback from families across Northern Ireland, the short videos provide practical advice on topics including group chats and peer pressure, online bullying, nude image sharing, grooming, sextortion, online pornography, and privacy settings. Each webinar lasts around 15 to 20 minutes and includes tips, conversation starters and links to further support. |
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Guidance on Protecting Children's Images from AI ManipulationSource: UK Online Harms Early Warning Working Group
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New UK-wide guidance has been published to help education settings and organisations working with children and young people manage the use of photos and videos online in response to the growing risks of AI image manipulation. The guidance outlines good practice for using, sharing and protecting children's images, and includes practical advice on reducing risks, responding to misuse, and reviewing organisational policies and procedures.
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Supporting Children with Additional Needs to Stay Safe OnlineSource: Internet Matters
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A new report from Internet Matters explores the online experiences of children with additional needs, highlighting both the benefits of digital technology and the increased risks they can face online. Drawing on findings from the Digital Wellbeing Index, the report found that children with additional needs are more likely to experience online harms, including cyberbullying, contact from strangers and exposure to harmful content, while also reporting positive experiences such as friendship, support and connection online.
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“Don’t Blame Life, Blame Your Face” Source: Centre for Young Lives
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A new report from the Centre for Young Lives explores the growing online trend of ‘looksmaxxing’ and its impact on boys and young men. The report highlights concerns about appearance-related pressures, exposure to harmful content, and the potential links between some looksmaxxing content and misogynistic ideologies. It calls for greater recognition of these issues as online harms and increased support for schools to address body image, masculinity and the influence of online content.
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Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Victims-Survivors of Online Grooming and Abuse Source: Marie Collins Foundation
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New research from the Marie Collins Foundation examines the mental health needs of children and young people who have experienced online grooming and technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TACSA). The study highlights the lasting psychological impact of online abuse, including shame, self-blame and fear of disclosure, and emphasises the need for trauma-informed, child-centred support to help victims-survivors recover. |
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The Online Safety Act: Are Children Safer Online? Source: Internet Matters
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Internet Matters has published new research exploring families’ experiences of the early implementation of the Online Safety Act. While the report notes increased visibility of safety features and age checks, it finds that many children continue to encounter online harms and that families believe further action is needed from government and industry to improve online safety for children and young people. |
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Has this newsletter been forwarded on to you? |
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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. |
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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
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