Young women and girls put the reality of online abuse firmly on the political agenda today at Stormont to mark Safer Internet Week.
The Barnardo’s-organised Digital Rights and Resilience event, sponsored by a cross-party group of MLAs, brought together politicians, community leaders and the children’s sector to hear directly from young people about how online harm is shaping their lives. The event was sponsored by MLAs from three political parties – Kate Nicholl, Cara Hunter and Robbie Butler – with Minister for Justice, Naomi Long, as keynote speaker.
New evidence highlights the scale of abuse that young women and girls online face. A 2025 SBNI and Queen’s University report found that over half of young people have experienced harmful or illegal behaviour online, including non-consensual image sharing, grooming, sextortion and online stalking. Separate research shows almost one in five 16-year-old girls have experienced online violence, with girls more than twice as likely as boys to receive unsolicited sexual images.
Technology-facilitated abuse is rising sharply, with the PSNI recording an approximate 123% increase in referrals linked to online activity targeting children and young people.
During a panel discussion about AI generated sexual abuse imagery, or “deep fakes”, MLA Cara Hunter today said: “Deep fakes used to seem like something that happened far away, to other people – but now, deep fakes are in our classrooms. And they are ruining lives.”
These online harms reflect a wider culture of violence against women and girls. Ulster University research shows 98% of women in Northern Ireland have experienced abuse or violence in their lifetime, half before the age of 11, and Northern Ireland is now considered one of the most dangerous places in Europe to be a woman.
Last year, Barnardo’s NI supported more than 18,000 children, young people and families through over 40 services, as practitioners report growing numbers of children affected by misogynistic and harmful online content.
Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo’s in Northern Ireland, said: “At Barnardo’s we want to see a society where women and girls are free from all forms of gender-based violence, abuse and harm.
“Northern Ireland is one of the most dangerous places in Europe to be a woman. The scale of violence experienced by women and girls here is shocking – and technology is increasingly being used to enable that harm.
“For girls and young women, being online often carries greater risks. Content that objectifies women and normalises violence does real damage – to mental health, self-worth and the ability to form healthy relationships. The impact can last a lifetime.
“We believe the participation of young people is critical to improving practice, policymaking and systems for real change. There is no one better placed to design solutions than those directly affected.
“While responsibility for regulating technology companies sits with Westminster, there is urgent work to be done in Northern Ireland to challenge harmful attitudes and ensure children and young people who experience online abuse get the support they need.”
15-year-old Fionn, who attended the event, said: “As a male, it’s easy to think that the way to end violence against women and girls is to just not commit violence against women and girls. But it’s deeper than that. As men and boys, we need to have conversations with each other about this. We need to be brave in tackling this issue.”
MLA Kate Nicholl said: “It’s important as politicians that we do what we can to regulate, put pressure on social media companies, and ensure that, as a government, we’re doing everything we can to end violence against women and girls. But actually we’re dealing with a societal issue. What young women and girls face won’t be ended by politics and regulations alone - we need to be having these conversations.”
Naomi Long, Minister for Justice, closed the event – saying: “I have seen the growth of misogyny in our society, and that is reflected in our online spaces. I know from talking to many young people just how important social connection can be, which is why we need to hold social media companies to account for the monetisation of hatred online, and ask them to have ethical standards around what they’ll permit to be shared."