Health Minister has welcomed the launch of a
new dedicated website to help parents, carers and young people be
more safe, secure and supported online.
Funded by the Department of Health and developed by the
Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) in partnership
with Ineqe Safeguarding Group, the Online Safety Hub(external link
opens in a new window / tab) is split into two sections, one
for parents and carers and one for young people.
The Hub is free to access and includes information on variety of
topics including, how to manage screen time, understanding the
latest gaming platforms and reporting inappropriate content.
Health Minister said: “We know that children
today are growing up in an increasingly online world and it is
essential that we are doing all that we can to support and guide
their digital journey and keep them safe.
“I very much welcome the development of the new hub which I have
no doubt will help families navigate life online. I would
particularly encourage parents and carers to explore the hub and
avail of the advice and guidance, all of which will help parents
understand how they can protect their children when they are
online.”
Bernie McNally, Chair of SBNI said: “It is every child's right to
feel safe and happy and to be able to explore their online spaces
safely, knowledgeably and without fear. Education on the online
risks to wellbeing and safety, and knowing what to do and where
to turn when something doesn't feel right is essential.
“The Hub will support parents and carers to build their knowledge
and confidence to help them feel better equipped to support their
child's online activity, as well as giving young people the
advice and tools they need to stay safe. It brings together a
range of excellent resources from multi-agency organisations to
help young people, carers, professionals and the general public
easily access them all in one central place.”
As children get their own devices and spend more time online,
it's important they know how to stay safe. That's why the Online
Safety Hub has a section dedicated to under 18s. It has been
designed to ensure that education and support is tailored to meet
their needs. It offers supportive and non-judgemental advice, top
tips and a reporting pathways tool to help young people to manage
their online lives safety and responsibly.
The single most important factor in keeping children and young
people safe online is for them to have conversations with the
trusted adults around them. It's never too early to start talking
to your children about online safety, but to do that parents and
carers need to be informed and education is key to this. The
Online Safety Hub provides parents, carers and young people with
the tools to be more safe, secure and supported online.
Lynne Knox, Executive Lead for Partnerships and Innovation at
INEQE Safeguarding Group said: “We believe that education
is key to fostering a safer online environment. By equipping
children, parents and caregivers with the knowledge and tools
they need to navigate the digital world responsibly, we can help
mitigate risks and protect vulnerable individuals from harm.
Through the Online Safety Hub, we aim to empower users with
practical advice, interactive tools, and supportive guidance,
ensuring that everyone can confidently engage with online
platforms while prioritising their safety and wellbeing.”
The Hub is easily accessible and includes assistive software to
reach diverse audiences, featuring text-to-speech, reading and
translation support and can be found at www.onlinesafetyhub.safeguardingni.org(external
link opens in a new window / tab). It was developed under the
Executive's On-line safety Strategy, led by the Department of
Health.
Notes to editors:
- The Online Safety Hub(external
link opens in a new window / tab) website is delivered
under the NI Executive's ‘Keeping Children and Young
People Safe: An Online Safety Strategy for Northern
Ireland(external link opens in a new window / tab), will
provide a central place for anyone who needs guidance,
resources and support. For the first time, the new Hub brings
together resources from a range of multi-agency organisations
to help young people, carers, professionals and the general
public easily access them all in one place.
