Patrician Youth Centre duo back online move

Patrician Youth Centre duo back online move

29 October 2025

TWO members of Downpatrick’s Patrician Youth Centre were at Stormont recently to take part in an event designed to ensure young people’s voices about online safety are heard.

Fifteen year-olds Darragh Ward and Odhran McCollom joined other young people from across Northern Ireland to meet politicians and decision-makers to share their ideas to improve online safety.

This unique event – called the Stormont Cyber Café – was hosted by NSPCC Northern Ireland in partnership with Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) and in collaboration with Ofcom and co-sponsored by representatives from all the main political parties.

For most young people, being online is an integral part of their life and they increasingly work, play, learn and explore interests via smartphones, iPads and laptops.

But the risks they face when online are also on the rise and at the Stormont event, Darragh and Odhran called for stronger protections online.

The group, called ‘Be Cyber Safe NI’ (BCSNI), was formed in partnership with NSPCC Northern Ireland and CiNI, as part of the NSPCC’s Child Safety Online strategy, to amplify young people’s voices and experiences so they can be heard by decision-makers and those responsible for online safety.

The group of 10 young people, aged between 14 and 17, comprised the Patrician members and others from five other youth centres who have been meeting regularly to explore issues related to online safety and outline the key challenges young people face. 

In addition, they have engaged with other young people in their local communities to gather insights from their peers. 

BCSNI has identified three priority areas where they feel most focus is needed to improve online safety for young people in Northern Ireland including harmful content and online grooming, privacy and personal data and rules for online companies and app controls. 

Darragh explained he got involved in the programme because he saw it as a great opportunity to make a change in online safety for young people. 

“I truly hate the acts some people commit online and want to put a stop to it,” he added.

Odhran got involved in the programme through the Patrician.

“I joined because I thought it would be fun to try something new and make and be part of making a difference,” he said.

“I enjoy meeting new people and the social aspect of the programme. I think it is important to make online a better and safer place for children and young people.”

Both NSPCC Northern Ireland and Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) believe it’s of paramount importance that children and young people are directly involved in working to find ways to help them stay safe online.

NSPCC project development manager, Phyllis Stephenson, said the charity’s goal is for every child to be safe online.

She explained for this to happen, it’s crucial to hear from young people directly about their views of online safety and their experiences online to identify the support needed to keep them safe. 

“We were delighted to be at Stormont and by listening to the young people and championing their voices, we can support decision makers and those with responsibility for child safety online to keep them right at the heart of solutions to online harm,” he added

Dr Ernest Purvis, Head of Policy at CiNI, said it had been a privilege to “work with this incredible group of young people”and a reminder of how essential it is to place their voices at the heart of decision making. 

He added: “Their experiences and insights are shaping conversations in a way that truly reflects the realities of growing up online. 

“As we move forward with the programme, we’ll continue to support them to lead, connect with more of their peers, and influence meaningful change — helping ensure policy and practice around online safety are grounded in what young people need.”