Parentline NI - Your Guide to Parenting

In the final episode of the Be Cyber Safe NI Takeover, young people and adults come together to look ahead — exploring how families can navigate the digital world side by side with trust, understanding, and openness.Hosted by Maria, this episode features honest reflections from Matylda, Theo, Ethan, and Darragh, alongside youth worker Paula, who has supported the group throughout the project. Together, they unpack the reality that parents and young people often live in very different digital worlds — and why closing that gap matters more than ever.The conversation explores:Why parents and young people experience the online world so differentlyHow parents can better understand the apps, games, and platforms young people useWhy social media is about more than screens — it’s about belonging and connectionHow to encourage healthy breaks from screens without making it feel like punishmentThe importance of offline time, presence, and shared family momentsWhat really helps when something goes wrong onlineWhy calm, non-judgemental responses make it easier for young people to ask for helpThe episode ends with a powerful reminder: there is no perfect rulebook for growing up online. Mistakes will happen — but when families listen, learn, and respond together, young people feel safer, supported, and more confident asking for help.This final instalment brings the Be Cyber Safe NI Takeover to a thoughtful close, reinforcing a simple but vital message for parents and carers: online safety works best when it’s built on conversation, trust, and learning together.

In Episode 2 of the Be Cyber Safe NI Takeover, the youth advisory group continues their honest conversation about what life online really looks like — this time focusing on something every family has to navigate: boundaries and trust.Hosted again by Maria (15, Portadown), this episode features real discussions from Matylda, Theo, Ethan, Darragh, and youth worker Paula. Together, they explore what healthy online boundaries actually feel like from a young person’s perspective, and how parents can keep children safe without feeling overly strict or intrusive.The group talks openly about:When children should start learning about being onlineWhether there should be age limits for phones, social media, and internet accessThe role of parental controls — what helps and what feels like “too much”How trust develops as young people growWhy privacy becomes so important for teensHow parents and young people often see digital risks differentlyThe result is a thoughtful, down-to-earth conversation that highlights the delicate balance every family tries to find: keeping young people safe while giving them space to grow, learn, and build independence.This episode is a practical, relatable listen for parents, carers, and professionals who want to better understand the realities of navigating online life together.

This episode launches the Be Cyber Safe NI Takeover — a special three-part youth-led mini-series produced by Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) in partnership with the NSPCC.Be Cyber Safe NI is a new advisory group of young people, aged 13–17, from across Northern Ireland. Working with CiNI and NSPCC, they explore issues like online privacy, harmful content, AI, and mental health, and share their views directly with parents, policymakers, and professionals.Through this takeover series, the group takes over the Parentline NI Podcast feed to share what life online really looks like from their side of the screen — honest, personal, and sometimes challenging conversations designed to help parents understand the digital world through young people’s eyes.In Episode 1 – “Speaking Up”, Maria (15, Portadown) hosts a conversation about why young people often find it difficult to tell parents when something goes wrong online. Featuring real conversations from Theo, Ethan, Matylda, Darragh, and youth worker Paula, the episode explores fear, embarrassment, and trust — and what actually helps when young people need support.It’s a thoughtful, down-to-earth discussion for parents, carers, and anyone who wants to build stronger communication around online life.

Smartphones are becoming part of children’s lives earlier than ever — and for many parents, it’s not an easy decision to make. From staying in touch to keeping up with peers, there’s a lot to weigh up when thinking about the right time to hand over a phone.In this episode of the Parentline Podcast, we explore how families and schools are navigating these decisions — and what support is out there for parents trying to find the right balance between connection and protection.You’ll hear from three guests with unique perspectives:Rosalind McLean, from Smartphone Free Childhood – Northern Ireland, explains why so many parents feel stuck between peer pressure and their instincts — and how the movement is helping families delay smartphones with confidence and community.Craig Johnson, Vice Principal at Lisneal College, shares how a phone-free school policy has changed student life and why their approach has had strong support from both parents and pupils.Wayne Denner, online safety expert and parent, offers practical tools for setting boundaries at home and explains why families don’t need to be tech experts to manage smartphone use well.We explore:How smartphones are becoming more common in primary school — and the questions that raises for familiesConcerns around screen time, online content, and social mediaWays to set age-appropriate boundaries around tech at homeWhat schools can do to support digital downtimeAlternatives to smartphones that still help children stay connected safelyWhether your child already has a phone or you're still deciding, this episode offers calm, practical advice and real-world stories to help you make informed choices.📲 Links & Resources:Smartphone Free Childhood – Northern IrelandWayne Denner – Online Safety & Digital WellbeingLisneal CollegeParentline NI: Free, confidential support for any parenting concern — call 0808 8020 400 or visit https://www.ci-ni.org.uk/parentline/🔖 Tags:#ParentlinePodcast #SmartphonesAndChildhood #SmartphoneFreeChildhoodNI #DigitalParenting #OnlineSafety #WayneDenner #LisnealCollege #ParentingSupport #KidsAndScreens

In this deeply insightful episode of the Parentline podcast, host Kerry McLean is joined by Tanya Strowger, a mother of three and counsellor at Jigsaw Community Counselling Centre, and Rebecca McCullough from Eden Consultancy NI. Together, they explore what it’s like to support neurodiverse children—particularly autistic children—through life’s big transitions, including school changes, holidays, family events, and everyday routines.Tanya shares the powerful story of her son Silas, his early signs of autism, the diagnostic journey, and how their family has adapted to meet his needs at home, in school, and out in the world. From sensory challenges and visual schedules to social scripting and emotional regulation, her lived experience offers empathy and practical guidance.Rebecca adds her expertise in neuro-affirming practice, offering thoughtful, real-world strategies to make transitions smoother, support emotional wellbeing, and embrace the child’s unique way of experiencing the world. Whether it’s navigating the school day, Christmas traditions, or going on holiday, this episode is packed with compassion, insight, and useful takeaways for any parent or professional.In this episode, we explore:Recognising early signs of neurodivergence and making sense of a diagnosisWhy small changes (like Sports Day or a different teacher) can be just as hard as big life eventsUsing visual aids, timers, and exit strategies to reduce anxietyPreparing for transitions: from holidays and school changes to daily routinesHelping neurodiverse children manage emotions, especially during moments of overwhelmLetting go of expectations and embracing what brings your child real happinessMemorable Moments:“Ditch all expectation and tune in to the happiness of the child.” – Tanya “You don’t know until you know. And when you know, you can do things differently.” – RebeccaResources Mentioned:Eden Consultancy NI – Training and consultancy for professionals and families supporting neurodivergent childrenJigsaw Community Counselling Centre – Mental health support for children, young people, and families in North BelfastParentline NI – Free, confidential support for parents and carers across Northern IrelandNeed Parenting Support? 📞 Call Parentline NI on 0808 8020 400 A free, confidential service offering a listening ear and practical guidance.Subscribe & Share If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing to the podcast and sharing it with a friend, family member, or colleague. 🔗 https://www.buzzsprout.com/861409