About this Event
Join us for a morning of discussion, learning and reflection as we launch findings of a national consultation and explore what children's experiences can teach us about supporting digital wellbeing in a rapidly changing digital world.
🗓️ Date: Thursday, 12th November 2026
🕐 Time: registration from 9 AM with tea/coffee, start 9:30 AM
📍 Location: The Foundry, Google HQ, Dublin
🧑Host: Anton Savage
As technology continues to evolve and new approaches to online safety and regulation emerge, it is more important than ever to understand children's everyday experiences online and what supports their wellbeing.
At a time when children's online lives are receiving increasing public attention, Barnardos wanted to hear directly from children and young people about their day-to-day experiences online and how these affect wellbeing.
This event is relevant for:
- Teachers, school leaders and education professionals
- Parents, carers, family support services and community organisations
- Youth workers and professionals working with children and young people
- Policymakers and researchers
- Anyone with an interest in supporting children's digital wellbeing
To inform this year's conference, Barnardos consulted with almost 1,200 children, young people and parents across Ireland through a national survey, 13 focus groups involving children from schools across the country, and a parent consultation delivered in partnership with the National Parents Council.
Plugged In, Switched Off 2026 will consider the findings of this consultation and bring together children and young people, parents, educators, practitioners, policymakers and others with an interest in supporting children online.
The conference will explore:
- Children's everyday online experiences
- Digital wellbeing in an age of AI, algorithms and personalised content
- What children and parents are telling us about online life today
- The role of trusted adults in supporting children's wellbeing
- What children's experiences can teach us about supporting children in a rapidly changing digital world
Event venue & nearby stays
The Foundry, Google Building, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland
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