Parentline NI Podcast has launched a special three-part youth-led mini-series produced by Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) in partnership with the NSPCC.
Be Cyber Safe NI is a new advisory group of young people, aged 13–17, from across Northern Ireland. Working with CiNI and NSPCC, they explore issues like online privacy, harmful content, AI, and mental health, and share their views directly with parents, policymakers, and professionals.
Through this takeover series, the group takes over the podcast feed to share what life online really looks like from their side of the screen – honest, personal, and sometimes challenging conversations designed to help parents understand the digital world through young people’s eyes.
Episode 1 - "Speaking Up"
Maria (15) hosts a conversation about why young people often find it difficult to tell parents when something goes wrong online. Featuring real conversations from Theo, Ethan, Matylda, Darragh, and youth worker Paula, the episode explores fear, embarrassment, and trust – and what actually helps when young people need support.
Episode 2 – Boundaries and Trust
In Episode 2 of the Be Cyber Safe NI Takeover, the youth advisory group continues their honest conversation about what life online really looks like – this time focusing on something every family has to navigate: boundaries and trust.
Hosted again by Maria (15), this episode features Matylda, Theo, Ethan, Darragh, and youth worker Paula. Together, they explore what healthy online boundaries actually feel like from a young person’s perspective, and how parents can keep children safe without feeling overly strict or intrusive.
Episode 3 – Side by Side
In the final episode of the Be Cyber Safe NI Takeover, young people and adults come together to look ahead – exploring how families can navigate the digital world side by side with trust, understanding, and openness.
Hosted by Maria (15), this episode features Matylda, Theo, Ethan, and Darragh, alongside youth worker Paula. Together, they unpack the reality that parents and young people often live in very different digital worlds – and why closing that gap matters more than ever.
Also in this podcast series
Another episode looks at how families and schools are navigating smartphones and screentime, with expert advice from Smartphone Free Childhood NI, Lisneal College, and online safety specialist Wayne Denner.
Listen to the episode: Smartphones & Childhood — Striking the Balance