A new online safety group led by teenagers has been launched.
The Amplifying Child Safety Online project from Children in Northern Ireland (CoNI) and NSPCC say the new advisory group will give young people “a voice, audience and influence” on child safety online issues.
Made up of 12 people aged 13-17, it will engage with youth clubs, centres and schools.
Through regular meetings, workshops and events, the young people involved will have opportunities to share their experiences.
It will also discuss the effectiveness of controls and responses to harmful content/behaviour as well as concerns about Artificial Intelligence, online advertising, privacy and education.
Dr Ernest Purvis, Head of Policy at CiNI and project lead, said people were increasingly becoming active online from a very young age – which led to higher levels of online harms, abuse, and negative impacts associated with excessive use of technology.
Explaining why she got involved, Matylda (15) said: “I wanted to try something new and get more experience. I want to make a difference and have an impact while building my confidence and working with other young people from all around the UK.”
Maria (14) said: “My opinion on online safety is that it’s really safe, but it’s not good that really young children are using it.”
Jamie (17) said: “There aren’t enough safety precautions set up for young people online. I was invited by my leader to get involved in a positive and relevant project, and I want to meet new people, boost my confidence, and have my voice heard.”
Iona (13) added: “I think there’s too many dangers online.”
Phyllis Stephenson, Project Development Manager at the Child Safety Online Solutions Lab at NSPCC, said children’s voices were often missing from conversations about online safety.
“By listening to young people and championing their voices, we can support decision makers and those with responsibility for child safety online in Northern Ireland to keep young people at the heart of solutions to online harm,” she said.
For further information about the project, email: ernest@c-ni.org.uk
