Leitrim online safety campaign to put young people at the heart of digital debate

A free Digital Safety Awareness Evening for parents and guardians will take place at The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, on Thursday, November 26, at 7.30pm, as part of a new online safety campaign being rolled out across Sligo and Leitrim.

The Safe OnLine campaign, spearheaded by the Sligo Leitrim Children & Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC), will run from Monday, November 23, bringing a range of resources and practical advice to families.

The initiative has been developed in response to concerns raised by young people, families and youth services around online safety, social media, cyberbullying, online pressure, inappropriate content and the challenges of maintaining an online presence.

A key element of the campaign is the involvement of young people in developing resources that reflect the digital challenges they face in everyday life.

The campaign has been developed alongside local partners including the Home Youth Liaison Service (HYLS), Foróige, Leitrim County via Council Community Safety Partnership, and Sligo LEADER Partnership.

Pat Forde, Chairperson for the Leitrim Local Community Safety Partnership, said: "Community safety goes beyond physical spaces; it is equally about ensuring our young people feel safe and supported in the digital world.

"By working collaboratively with Sligo Leitrim CYPSC and our local partners, we are taking proactive action to strengthen safety initiatives right across our communities.

"This campaign demonstrates how powerful local partnerships can be when we listen directly to the voices of young people to shape a safer, more inclusive environment for everyone."

Linda Halstead, Deputy Manager at the Home Youth Liaison Service (HYLS), said: "At HYLS, we understand the incredible opportunities the digital world offers, but we also see the immense challenges that parents and young people face.

"This campaign and the newly developed video series provide an immediate, practical resource to help families navigate these issues together.

"Having young people actively design and drive these resources ensures that the guidance is realistic, relatable, and directly addresses current online realities, from mental health to cyberbullying."

The campaign will feature a series of video resource episodes covering mental health in the digital space, digital footprints and long-term reputations, AI and its impact on daily life, and cyberbullying and catfishing detection and prevention.

A Parent Resource Booklet and School Resource Pack will also be distributed to all post-primary schools across Sligo and Leitrim.

The Carrick-on-Shannon event will provide expert guidance and practical advice for families navigating the digital world.

The campaign is being coordinated by Sligo Leitrim CYPSC, county-level committees which bring together statutory, community and voluntary providers of services to children and young people.