Offaly students lead way in online safety push

TWO students from Sacred Heart School Tullamore are among over 100 students across Ireland taking part in the Webwise Safer Internet Day (SID) Ambassador Training Programme 2025.

This peer-led initiative equips students with the knowledge and skills to run their own online safety campaigns in their schools and local communities.

As part of the programme, Hannah Parker-Kelly and Maryam Aater attended an in-person training day in Dublin, where they received support and guidance from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel.

The Ambassador Training Programme empowers students to take a leading role in creating a safer, better internet by tackling key issues like online bullying, misinformation, wellbeing, privacy, and digital rights.

The theme for Safer Internet Day 2025, happening on Tuesday, February 11, is 'Prepare / Protect / Thrive: Navigating Algorithms and Influencers'.

This year’s campaign encourages schools, parents, young people, and educators to explore how algorithms and influencers shape young people’s online lives. The aim is to equip children with the skills to navigate the opportunities and challenges of these powerful online influences.

Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. It is promoted in Ireland by the Oide Technology in Education and Webwise, with over 200,000 people taking part in last year’s celebrations.

Webwise believes everyone has a role to play in creating a safer internet. Schools, parents, and young people can access free resources and activity ideas. The three steps to take part in SID 2025 are - register your activity; use the free resources; and visit the Safer Internet Day Hub.

Webwise is the online safety initiative of the Department of Education and co-funded by the European Commission. It aims to promote safer, better internet use through awareness campaigns and educational resources for teachers, students, and parents.

Webwise develops resources to help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools. Webwise also provides information, advice, and tools to parents to support their engagement in their children’s online lives. Through initiatives like the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel, Webwise creates youth-focused awareness campaigns and training on key online safety issues (webwise.ie).