Mick Moran : Protecting Our Children Online

Topics covered: Online safety, childhood, parenting, smartphones, social media, gaming, Roblox, algorithms, manipulation, digital autonomy, grooming, sextortion, exploitation, CSAM, pornography, harmful content, suicide, sharenting, digital literacy, boundaries, notifications, personal responsibility, screen time, peer pressure, parental responsibility, online reporting.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussions of child sexual abuse material, sexual exploitation, grooming, sextortion, pornography, suicide and other disturbing subjects. It is intended for adult listeners and is not suitable for children.

My guest in this episode is Mick Moran, CEO of Hotline.ie, Ireland's national reporting centre for suspected illegal online content, particularly child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

He spent 34 years in An Garda Síochána before joining Hotline.ie.

Recorded during the summer of 2026, this is a frank and, at times, deeply unsettling conversation about the online world we're living in and what it means for our children.

A significant part of our conversation focuses on parenting. When should children get their first smartphone? Are we putting them at a disadvantage by delaying access to them?

This isn't about judging parents or pretending there are easy answers. As a mother of two young kids, I'm very aware that many of these decisions are ahead of me too.

And if this episode resonated with you, I suggest you listen to my conversations with psychotherapist Richard Hogan, in particular the one on Adolescence.

Resources and support

Hotline.ie - Irish Internet Hotline

Ireland's national reporting centre where members of the public can securely, anonymously and confidentially report suspected illegal online content, especially child sexual abuse material.

https://hotline.ie

CyberSafeKids

An Irish charity providing research, education and practical online safety resources for children, parents and schools.

https://www.cybersafekids.ie

Smartphone Free Childhood Ireland

A parent-led movement supporting families and school communities who want to delay children's access to smartphones and social media.

https://smartphonefree.ie

Webwise

Ireland's online safety awareness centre, offering information and educational resources on social media, gaming, cyberbullying, privacy and digital wellbeing.

https://www.webwise.ie

ISPCC / Childline

Confidential support for children and young people, including those affected by harmful online experiences.

https://www.ispcc.ie

https://www.childline.ie

Childline: 1800 66 66 66 (24-hour support).

National Parents Council

Advice, education and support for parents, including guidance on children's online safety and wellbeing.

https://www.npc.ie

Irish Safer Internet Centre

Hotline.ie is a member of the Irish Safer Internet Centre alongside Webwise, ISPCC Childline and the National Parents Council.

https://hotline.ie/safer-internet-centre/

The 4 Cs of online risk

Mick refers to the CO:RE 4 Cs framework, which identifies four broad categories of online risk to children:

Content - Exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate online material.

Contact - Harmful interactions with others online, including grooming and unwanted contact.

Conduct - Harmful online behaviour involving children, including cyberbullying, harassment and harmful peer interactions.

Contract - Commercial and transactional risks, including scams, fraud, data exploitation and manipulative marketing.

Books mentioned :

The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt

Explores the impact of smartphones, social media and changes in childhood on young people's mental health and development.

The Amazing Generation - Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price

A companion book aimed at children aged approximately 9-12, encouraging healthier relationships with technology and more freedom, connection and adventure in the real world.

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