Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland

Working together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in NI. Retweets for awareness do not necessarily mean endorsement.

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

We are delighted to welcome Gerry Guckian MBE as the new Independent Chair of the SBNI. We look forward to working together to strengthen safeguarding and improve outcomes for children and young people.

[Department of Health @healthdpt]

An Independent Chair has been appointed to the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland.

Mr Gerard Guckian commenced the @safeguardingni role on 3 July 2026 and will be in post until no later than 2 July 2030.

🔗 More info: https://t.co/dnwijqQ2ur

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

This week we celebrated Bernie McNally OBE as she stepped down as Independent Chair of SBNI. A lifelong champion for young people, her leadership, compassion and integrity have left a lasting legacy in safeguarding in NI and beyond.

Thank you, Bernie. You'll be greatly missed.

[National Crime Agency (NCA) @NCA_UK]

AI is becoming a part of everyday life. Whilst it has many benefits, it can also be misused – including by those who use it to make, manipulate and share nude, semi-nude or sexual images and videos of children.

In partnership with @IWFhotline, the NCA's @CEOPEducation team have created guidance with practical changes families can make to help keep images safer.

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

Everyday photos shared online can be altered using AI - but there are practical steps families can take to protect them.

We’re proud to support this guidance from @IWFhotline & @NCA_UK offering simple steps to help safeguard your child.

@PoliceServiceNI
https://t.co/MSjhZfM2Id

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

Supporting children online can feel challenging, especially as the digital world continues to change.

Learn how privacy settings, screen time tools and parental controls can support your child’s online experience alongside regular conversations at home in this webinar from @safeguardingni and Childnet.

This session is around 20 minutes long, easy to follow, and includes tips, conversation starters and signposting to further support.

👉 Watch the webinar: https://t.co/Ga1hYo8m7z

🔗 Further advice and support is available via the SBNI Online Safety Hub: https://t.co/3NdmKcRjW1

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

Sharing violent content online isn’t harmless.

It can cause real harm, encourage violence, and may have serious legal consequences.

Think carefully before you post. Report harmful content using platform tools. If someone may be at risk, contact the police.

@PoliceServiceNI

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

Supporting children online can feel challenging, especially as the digital world continues to change.

To help families support children and young people online @safeguardingni
have made a series of short online safety mini webinars available, with topics covering privacy settings, group chats and peer pressure, online bullying, image sharing, harmful content and online grooming.

Each session is around 15-20 minutes long, easy to follow, and includes tips, conversation starters and signposting to further support.

👉 Watch the mini webinars: https://t.co/N2Nd7tiQf4

🔗 Further advice and support is available via the SBNI Online Safety Hub: https://t.co/F468azCL2l

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

Children targeted online often stay silent.

Groomers hide behind fake profiles to gain trust - it’s child sexual abuse, and it’s never a child’s fault.

A calm, non‑judgemental response really matters.

Support and advice: https://t.co/ZFKFrvS3au

@PoliceServiceNI

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

In partnership with @Childnet, we’ve launched six online safety mini webinars covering privacy, group chats, bullying, image sharing, grooming, pornography & misogyny.

Clear, practical guidance to help families recognise risks & respond with confidence.

https://t.co/GgYtIEZNpd

[NI Policing Board @NIPolicingBoard]

Don’t let anyone blackmail you over nudes. Take control: don’t pay, block them, and tell someone you trust. You don’t have to cope with it alone. https://t.co/vCN23dfnJ7

[Probation Board for Northern Ireland @PBNINews]

Tonight on BBC 1 NI, a new documentary fronted by Carl Frampton highlights the reality of probation work & its impact on individuals, families & communities. PBNI are proud of the dedication & professionalism of staff who work daily to support rehabilitation & protect the public.

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

This UK‑wide consultation seeks views on children’s experiences online, including age restrictions, addictive design features and support for families.

It’s really important that perspectives from Northern Ireland are reflected.

Closes 26 May 2026 ⬇️
https://t.co/P0fDtx8lLd

[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk]

❓Should we ban social media for under-16s?
❓Should platforms do more to protect children online?
❓Should there be age restrictions on AI chatbots?

There are lots of opinions, but what do you think?

We've launched a national consultation, have your say 🔽

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

Helping children stay safe online includes protecting their privacy.

@ICOnews has launched the Switched on to Privacy campaign to support parents and carers of children aged 4 to 11 to have simple, regular conversations at home.

Learn more👉https://t.co/OSiI9BH3sW

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

Thanks to @CJININews for the opportunity to discuss the findings of their report on Child Criminal Exploitation and for the opportunity to speak about the multiagency responses being used to tackle this form of child abuse. @PoliceServiceNI @healthdpt @Justice_NI

[Criminal Justice Inspection NI @CJININews]

New podcast episode 🎧

A week after publishing our report on Child Criminal Exploitation in NI, you can now hear the Inspection findings with insights from @safeguardingni, @PoliceServiceNI and Queen’s University Senior Lecturer Dr Colm Walsh.

Listen at: https://t.co/65hAgnICX0

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

The Online Safety Hub offers practical advice and trusted resources for young people, parents, carers and professionals, all in one easy‑to‑use place.

Read and share the latest Hub Highlights Newsletter:
https://t.co/NG6VlQ6CCE

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

How privileged are we to support #CareDay26 🎉🎉🎉

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

New research from @UlsterUni for the SBNI examines the factors that place children at greater risk of technology assisted child sexual abuse, as well as the barriers and facilitators to reporting it.

🔗Read report https://t.co/VIFYKpD05q

https://t.co/PNEBG5WCF3

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

Children targeted online often stay silent.

Groomers hide behind fake profiles to gain trust - it’s child sexual abuse, and it’s never a child’s fault.

A calm, non‑judgemental response really matters.

Support and advice here: https://t.co/xY7IKITWSa

@PoliceServiceNI #SID2026

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

Has your child been blackmailed after sharing a nude?
It’s child sexual abuse and it’s not their fault.

➡️Don’t pay
➡️Block
➡️Report the account
➡️Report to police/CEOP

Support is available to help remove images.
@PoliceServiceNI @CEOPEducation

https://t.co/TrosFACodc

[Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland @safeguardingni]

Together with @Ed_Authority, @PoliceServiceNI and @saferschoolsni, we’ve led a joint letter to parents/carers highlighting the risks of AI generated and manipulated images.

Thanks to partners across all sectors for their support.

Please read and share. https://t.co/kg3k3X0Gxb