Public Lecture - Keeping Our Children and Young People Safe Online

As children and young people spend increasing amounts of time online, concerns around digital safety, mental health, online influence and exposure to harm are growing. From social media pressures and online exploitation to gaming, misinformation and digital wellbeing, navigating the online world has become a shared challenge for families, educators, professionals and communities.

Equality Action’s Annual Public Lecture 2026 brings together leading voices from policing, psychology, education and the voluntary sector to explore how we can better understand these risks, and work together to support children and young people to stay safe, informed and resilient online.

This event is open to parents and carers, educators, youth workers, professionals, community leaders and young people who want to be part of an informed, practical and grounded conversation.

Director of Prevention, Leicestershire Police

Grace Strong is a qualified Probation Officer with extensive experience in prevention, public protection and early intervention. She led the establishment of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Violence Reduction Network (VRN) in 2019 and now leads Leicestershire Police’s Prevention Directorate, with strategic responsibility for Child-Centred Policing and work to reduce harm affecting children and young people.

Community and Young People Involvement Manager, Violence Reduction Network

Lisa works to ensure communities and young people are central to prevention work across the VRN partnership. She leads on engagement, co-production and relationship-building, helping empower communities to play an active role in preventing harm and supporting young people.

Following the keynote, a panel discussion brings together professionals working directly with children and young people:

• Dr Nisha Karia – Clinical Psychologist, Systemic Practitioner and accredited EMDR Therapist
• Sarah Sadler – Area Director of Schools, Learn Academies Trust (Learn-AT)
• Hema Badger-Mistry – CEO at Pedestrian, an arts and education charity supporting young people through creativity
• Ismail Sarwar - Youth Representative

The panel will explore real-world challenges and practical responses to online risks, with time for audience questions.

• A clearer understanding of current online risks facing children and young people
• Insight into prevention, safeguarding and early intervention approaches
• Practical perspectives from policing, psychology, education and community sectors
• Space for questions, discussion and shared learning

Parking Information

Car Park 5 - https://maps.lboro.ac.uk/?l=car-park-5

Car park 1 - suitable for blue badge holders only https://maps.lboro.ac.uk/?l=car-park-admin-1

To reduce stress on the day, parking can also be booked in advance online, via phone or by text. Visit the link below for details:

Pre payment online, via the app or over the phone

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/fm/services/traffic-parking/visitors/

You can find the campus map here: Loughborough University Campus Map.

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