Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) has published a report on its youth‑led online safety project, Be Cyber Safe NI, delivered in partnership with the NSPCC.
The project worked with a youth advisory group of 10 young people aged 14–17 through workshops, a stakeholder engagement and youth voice amplification event, and youth led creative activities, including podcasts and social media content. Young people reported increased confidence and communication skills, and their work contributed to policy discussions, safeguarding campaigns and education tools.
The report sets out the findings of this work and includes recommendations for education providers, parents and carers, online platforms, and reporting mechanisms. Key messages from young people highlight the importance of starting online safety education earlier and ensuring that young people are meaningfully involved in shaping the solutions and resources intended for them.
Alongside the report, a suite of resources has been produced, including a podcast series, video animations and a social media toolkit.
Together, these provide valuable insight into young people’s lived experiences online, emphasising the need for relevant education, supportive adults, effective reporting systems and online platforms that take responsibility for safety by design.