Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Dolan explains the laws around data protection and why we need them.
Continue readingData Protection and GDPR
Understanding why young people bully others online
Clinical psychologist Dr David Coleman discusses why some young people start to bully others online.
Continue readingHow to talk to your teenager about online dating
Cyberpsychology expert Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton discusses the best way to talk to your teen about online dating.
Top Tip: Young people need to be aware that the person they think they’re talking to might not be who they are in real life.
How to talk to your child about online pornography
Cyberpsychology expert Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton talks about how to broach the topic of online pornography.
Continue readingFinding meaningful and personal connection through social media platforms
Author Dr Ciarán Mc Mahon breaks down the meaning of ‘social capital’ and why we need it.
Top Tip: Ask your children why they follow certain people online.
Seizing online opportunities as a young person
European Digital Girl of the Year Aoibheann Mangan talks about seizing the opportunities of the online world while practicing online safety.
Top Tip: Only talk online to people you know and make sure the privacy settings are activated on your devices.
The Importance of Online Empathy
Clinical psychologist Dr David Coleman explains the importance of teaching your children online empathy.
Top Tip: In the online world, children don’t get immediate feedback so you have to help them understand how their words can impact others.
Simple ways to reduce anxiety and boost brain health
It’s not easy being a parent so if you find yourself becoming anxious, try these simple ways to reduce anxiety and boost brain health
Continue readingHow Do You Fill Your Cup?
As the saying goes: ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup.’
Continue readingWATCH: What Happens When A Child Contacts Childline?
Be honest with yourself. How would you feel if you found out your child had called Childline or used it’s text or live messaging service?
If the answer is horrified/dismayed/upset/confused, we get it. There is a misconception that if a child calls Childline it must mean that they are in some form of deep distress or crisis, that they have nowhere else to turn and that something has gone very wrong in their lives.
Occasionally, that is the case.
But more often than not, children and young people get in touch for much more mundane, but equally valid, reasons.
They’re bored, they’re lonely, they had a fight with you, they’re sick of being stuck at home, they’re worried about exams. We’re happy to talk to young people about ANYTHING that’s on their mind.
The main aim of our service is to listen, believe and support the young person at the other end of the chat. Our focus is on resilience – empowering them to find the solution that’s right for them.
Childline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It’s free, confidential and non-judgemental. Sometimes children just want to chat to someone who doesn’t know everything about them. The hope is that they will turn to you when they’re ready but in the meantime, we’re happy to listen and help them understand whatever it is they’re going through.