Casting the net is a new youth-led series hosted by teens for teens exploring the breadth and depth of our online worlds. In each episode we cast the net wide to learn about the opportunities and challenges the internet brings, and hear from experts from around the globe.
AI, Ethics and Our Online World - A Conversation with Dr. Abeba Birhane (Part 2)
In part 2 of this episode, Webwise Youth Panelist Ross continues his conversation with world leading AI expert Abeba Birhane who founded and leads the AI Accountability Lab at the ADAPT Research Centre in Trinity College.
They discuss chatbots, deepfakes, and the growing role AI plays in young people’s lives. Abeba shares her thoughts on using AI responsibly, the need for effective safeguards and policy, and what she believes young people should know as AI continues to develop.
Learn more about the AI Accountability Lab at:
https://aial.ie/ (https://aial.ie/)
19 Aug 2026
AI, Ethics and Our Online World - A Conversation with Dr. Abeba Birhane (Part 1)
In Part 1 of this episode, Webwise Youth Panelist Ross speaks to world leading AI expert Abeba Birhane who founded and leads the AI Accountability Lab at the ADAPT Research Centre in Trinity College.
Through questions from Ross, and others on the youth panel, they explore the ethics and societal impact of AI, why the data used to train AI matters and what teenagers should know about how their data is being used. They also chat about common misconceptions about AI, and navigating an online world filled with misinformation.
Learn more about the AI Accountability Lab at:
https://aial.ie/ (https://aial.ie/)
In this episode, Webwise Youth Panelist Stephen is joined by Ireland’s Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh Hodnett, to explore the progress being made in keeping people safe online. They discuss the evolving landscape of online safety in Ireland and across Europe, the rights and protections for children and young people, and practical steps we can all take to enjoy a safer and more positive digital experience.
Find out more about the work of Coimisiún na Meán (https://www.cnam.ie/about/).
30 Jun 2025
Why Consent Matters: Advice for Teens from the Consent-Ed Programme (Part 2)
Sianna Williams and Alex Black from Consent-Ed discuss reporting barriers, relationship red flags, and Coco’s Law with Webwise Youth Panel's Molly, offering teens crucial consent and relationship advice in this interview.
30 Jun 2025
Why Consent Matters: Advice for Teens from the Consent-Ed Programme (Part 1)
SIANNA WILLIAMS and ALEX BLACK from Consent-Ed explain consent, boundaries, and healthy communication to MOLLY from the Webwise Youth Panel, offering teens practical advice and challenging harmful stereotypes in this interview.
8 May 2025
Cybersecurity - What are the biggest issues for teens, and how can we protect ourselves online?
In this episode, we’ll be discussing an important topic that affects everyone — cybersecurity.
From hacking to online scams, there’s a lot to watch out for when using technology and being online. We’ll be asking key questions about staying safe online, how to spot and avoid scams, and how keep our information secure.
To get some advice, Webwise Youth Panelist Shriya was joined by Cybersecurity Expert Dr. Hazel Murray.
18 Nov 2024
Is it an ad? What teens need to know about Influencer Advertising
Ishani talks to Orla Twomey, CEO of the Advertising Standards Authority, about the rules and red flags around influencer advertising that teens need to know.
2 Jul 2024
How is AI shaping our future? (Part 2)
From Chatbots that have human-like conversations, to AI that creates new images, music or videos - GenAI is becoming increasingly common in our everyday lives.
While it can help spark creativity and improve efficiency, this technology also poses challenges.
One major concern is the spread of mis and dis information, as GenAI can generate realistic fake content that is indistinguishable from reality.
To discuss this, and more, Webwise Youth Panelist Lauren spoke to Mark Little.
In Part 2 of this episode, they discuss AI and education, algorithms, the opportunities in the future, and advice for young people.
But Lauren begins by asking him about regulation of AI.
2 Jul 2024
How is AI shaping our future? (Part 1)
From Chatbots that have human-like conversations, to AI that creates new images, music or videos - GenAI is becoming increasingly common in our everyday lives.
While it can help spark creativity and improve efficiency, this technology also poses challenges.
One major concern is the spread of mis and dis information, as GenAI can generate realistic fake content that is indistinguishable from reality.
To discuss this, and more, Webwise Youth Panelist Lauren spoke to Mark Little.
Mark is a journalist and entrepreneur who founded the social news agency Storyful and the content moderation company Kinzen. He has also previously worked for RTÉ, and is widely recognized for his contributions to journalism and media innovation.
11 Jun 2024
The Manosphere, extremist views, and the influence of algorithms (Part 2)
In this episode we are going to be exploring a topic that has been getting a lot of attention lately: the "manosphere."
In the last few years we have seen the rise in popularity of divisive influencers such as Andrew Tate, sparking debate and controversy around masculinity, relationships, and gender dynamics.
But how might this affect teenagers? And what are the consequences?
To learn more, and to get advice for teens, Webwise Youth Panelist Shriya chatted to Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist Dr. Colman Noctor.
In Part 2 of this episode, Shriya begins by asking if the tech companies have a role to play in highlighting moderate views online?
11 Jun 2024
The Manosphere, extremist views, and the influence of algorithms (Part 1)
In this episode we are going to be exploring a topic that has been getting a lot of attention lately: the "manosphere."
In the last few years we have seen the rise in popularity of divisive influencers such as Andrew Tate, sparking debate and controversy around masculinity, relationships, and gender dynamics.
But how might this affect teenagers? And what are the consequences?
To learn more, and to get advice for teens, Webwise Youth Panelist Shriya chatted to Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist Dr. Colman Noctor.
23 Aug 2023
Personal data, GDPR and our rights - What teens need to know!
Every time we go online, we're giving away information about ourselves.
But just how much data are companies collecting from us and what rights do we have in relation to our personal data?
An important protection for all of us is GDPR which came into effect in 2018 and is designed to protect personal data linked to individuals.
In this episode Webwise Youth Panelist Alannah is joined by Jennifer Dolan, Assistant Commissioner (Head of Children's Data Protection Policy) in the Data Protection Commission.
The Data Protection Commission is the Irish supervisory authority for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
6 Jun 2023
What do we need to know about ChatGPT? (Part 2) - with Elaine Burke, Science and Technology Journalist.
There have been big steps forward in AI over the past decade.
From online shopping to streaming platform, or using the apps on our phones – AI is already changing how we live, learn, and work.
One of the AI developments that has attracted a lot of attention since it came on the scene late last year is ChatGPT.
With people excited about the possibilities that it may provide, but also sparking a lot of ethical concerns too.To find out more, Webwise Youth Panellist Emma spoke to Science and Technology journalist Elaine Burke.
Elaine is host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network.
In part 2, Emma talks to Elaine about exciting developments in AI generally, and steps to regulate it.
6 Jun 2023
What do we need to know about ChatGPT? (Part 1) - with Elaine Burke, Science and Technology Journalist.
There have been big steps forward in AI over the past decade.
From online shopping to streaming platform, or using the apps on our phones – AI is already changing how we live, learn, and work.
One of the AI developments that has attracted a lot of attention since it came on the scene late last year is ChatGPT.
With people excited about the possibilities that it may provide, but also sparking a lot of ethical concerns too.
To find out more, Webwise Youth Panellist Emma spoke to Science and Technology journalist Elaine Burke.
Elaine is host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network.
In part 1, Emma chats to Elaine about how ChatGPT generates content, the benefits it can provide, its limitations, and challenges that it presents.
5 Apr 2023
Is online extremism growing in Ireland, and what influence does it have?
The rapid expansion of the Internet within society has led to marked changes in the way individuals communicate, think and live their lives. Traditionally we got our news from trusted sources, journalists and media outlets that are required to follow strict codes of practice. However, the internet has enabled a whole new way to publish, share and consume information and news with very little regulation or editorial standards. This has led to rapid spreading of mis/disinformation, amplification of extremist/radical views and conspiracy theories.
Recent events here in Ireland indicate a rise in far right radicalisation that plays on local concerns and national issues. We have seen far right activists weaponize social media platforms to incite fear, anger and increasingly racist commentary.
While, the popularity of online personalities, who promote controversial ideologies, misogyny and extreme agendas has caused concerns about the influence they have on their followers.
So, is online extremism growing in Ireland, and what is its influence?
Webwise Youth Panelist, Eoin, speaks to Ciarán O'Connor, Senior Analyst at the London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue, an organisation that researches disinformation, extremism and hate online.
14 Oct 2022
Time Spent Online: Striking the Right Balance (Part 2) - with Richard Layte of Trinity College Dublin
From connecting with our friends, to listening to music, gaming, shopping, watching videos, or doing homework – a lot of our time is spent online.
Sometimes, the amount of time we spend online can even cause conflict!
We know that there are pros and cons to being online, and that includes what we are doing online, and for how long.
Research from Trinity College Dublin shows that striking the right balance in the amount of time spent online could be good for teenagers’ wellbeing.
In Part 1, Billie from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel, spoke to Richard Layte, co-author of the study, about the background to the research and the key findings. In Part 2, they talk about whether there is a 'magic number' for the right amount of time to spend online, and what needs to be done to build on the research.
14 Oct 2022
Time Spent Online: Striking the Right Balance (Part 1) - with Richard Layte of Trinity College Dublin
From connecting with our friends, to listening to music, gaming, shopping, watching videos, or doing homework – a lot of our time is spent online.
Sometimes, the amount of time we spend online can even cause conflict!
We know that there are pros and cons to being online, and that includes what we are doing online, and for how long.
Research from Trinity College Dublin shows that striking the right balance in the amount of time spent online could be good for teenagers’ wellbeing.
In Part 1, Billie from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel, speaks to Richard Layte, co-author of the study, about the background to the research, it's key findings, and what how time spent online can have a positive, and negative, affect on our wellbeing!
14 Oct 2022
Children and Young People's Rights Online - with Julie Ahern from the Children’s Rights Alliance
Whether it’s chatting to our friends, doing homework, using social media or gaming – a lot of what we do happens online.
The internet provides us with many opportunities for connecting, for entertainment, for support and for learning.
And, just like children and teenagers have rights in the offline world, we also have rights online.
Why is it important to know what these are?
It's to make sure that we know that we are being treated fairly, being protected, and also to know what responsibilities we have online.
To find out more, Molly from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel spoke to Julie Ahern from the Children’s Rights Alliance.
14 Oct 2022
News, Information and the Problems of False Information with Susan Daly, Managing Editor of Journal Media
Misinformation and disinformation is one of the biggest challenges that we face online.
As teenagers we get most of our information online, and with so much information out there, it can be easy to come across something that isn’t true.
And, on social media and messaging apps, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and rumours can spread really, really quickly.
In this episode we explore the topic of misinformation and disinformation, who creates it and why, what the challenges are, how we can spot it and how as young people we can make a difference.
To find out more, Billie from the Webwise Youth Panel, spoke to Susan Daly, Managing Editor of Journal Media. Journal Media is an independently-owned and managed media organisation which includes The Journal, The Journal FactCheck, The42, and Noteworthy.
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