Young people discuss online safety at Stormont Cyber Café
On Wednesday 8th October, young people from across Northern Ireland gathered in the Long Gallery at Stormont to share their ideas and experiences on improving online safety. Hosted by Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) in partnership with NSPCC NI, and in collaboration with Ofcom, the Stormont Cyber Café provided a unique opportunity for young people to speak directly with politicians, policymakers, and regulators about the risks they face online and the changes they want to see to make digital spaces safer. The event was co-sponsored by MLAs from all the main Northern Ireland political parties, demonstrating cross-party commitment to tackling online harms.
Be Cyber Safe NI: Young leaders driving change
Central to the event was Be Cyber Safe NI (BCS NI), a group of 10 young people aged 14 to 17 who have been meeting regularly as part of an amplification and advocacy project delivered by CiNI and NSPCC. BCS NI has worked together to identify key challenges facing their generation and to amplify the voices of young people in policy discussions.
The members, drawn from youth organisations in Belfast, Downpatrick, Portadown, Dungannon, and Limavady, have spoken to peers across their communities and identified three top priorities for improving online safety:
- Tackling harmful content and online grooming
- Strengthening privacy and personal data protections
- Introducing clearer rules for online companies and app controls
The young people’s insights were shared directly with representatives from Ofcom and decision-makers at Stormont. Many reflected on their own reasons for joining the initiative, from wanting to protect others to making online spaces more positive and inclusive.
The Stormont Cyber Café showcased the power of collaboration between young people, government, and the Voluntary and Community sector. With support from NSPCC NI, CiNI, and Ofcom, the event reaffirmed the shared commitment to creating a safer online environment where every child and young person in Northern Ireland can thrive.
As conversations continue beyond the event, CiNI and NSPCC NI remain dedicated to ensuring that young people’s experiences inform real change in online safety policy and practice, protecting the next generation as they navigate the digital world.
Young people discuss online safety at Stormont Cyber Café
On Wednesday 8th October, young people from across Northern Ireland gathered in the Long Gallery at Stormont to share their ideas and experiences on improving online safety. Hosted by Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) in partnership with NSPCC NI, and in collaboration with Ofcom, the Stormont Cyber Café provided a unique opportunity for young people to speak directly with politicians, policymakers, and regulators about the risks they face online and the changes they want to see to make digital spaces safer. The event was co-sponsored by MLAs from all the main Northern Ireland political parties, demonstrating cross-party commitment to tackling online harms.
Be Cyber Safe NI: Young leaders driving change
Central to the event was Be Cyber Safe NI (BCS NI), a group of 10 young people aged 14 to 17 who have been meeting regularly as part of an amplification and advocacy project delivered by CiNI and NSPCC. BCS NI has worked together to identify key challenges facing their generation and to amplify the voices of young people in policy discussions.
The members, drawn from youth organisations in Belfast, Downpatrick, Portadown, Dungannon, and Limavady, have spoken to peers across their communities and identified three top priorities for improving online safety:
- Tackling harmful content and online grooming
- Strengthening privacy and personal data protections
- Introducing clearer rules for online companies and app controls
The young people’s insights were shared directly with representatives from Ofcom and decision-makers at Stormont. Many reflected on their own reasons for joining the initiative, from wanting to protect others to making online spaces more positive and inclusive.
The Stormont Cyber Café showcased the power of collaboration between young people, government, and the Voluntary and Community sector. With support from NSPCC NI, CiNI, and Ofcom, the event reaffirmed the shared commitment to creating a safer online environment where every child and young person in Northern Ireland can thrive.
As conversations continue beyond the event, CiNI and NSPCC NI remain dedicated to ensuring that young people’s experiences inform real change in online safety policy and practice, protecting the next generation as they navigate the digital world.
