IRELAND Safer Internet Centre
Webwise Ireland  In schools, action is taken at a whole-school level to ensure that internet safety is mainstreamed throughout the school’s teaching, learning and other practices. Our internet safety strategy has three components:
- Using technology to reduce the potential of harm.
- Implementing Acceptable Use Policies
- Education Programmes
Since the development of the Schools Broadband Network the NCTE have implemented a centralised content filter. This service allows teachers to harness the power of the Internet for teaching and learning without risking exposing their pupils to inappropriate content. We have also ensured that all schools have Acceptable Use Policies that are regularly reviewed, monitored and agreed with parents, staff and students. These policies address all rights, privileges, responsibilities and sanctions associated with the Internet in schools. A school’s AUP identifies the school's strategy on promoting safe use of the Internet and defines the parameters of behaviour and specifies the consequences of violating those parameters. Our SID Campaign Work: - Research – in collaboration with the Digital Childhoods Research Project we will conduct a series of focus groups within the age range of 9-16 years during Autumn/Winter 2012 to provide more detailed understanding of questions of privacy, risk and safety in the use of internet technologies.
- Cyberbullying Consultation – Support the widespread consultation on the topic of cyberbullying by ISSU with students in approx. 10 schools around the country. We will facilitate an online consultation process and the dissemination of the findings from the consultation.
- Awareness Raising Resources – based on our learnings from research and consultation we will develop a website, flyer, and video clip for secondary school students focusing on strategies for coping with online bullying situations.
- Awareness Campaign – based on the learnings from the research and consultation, Webwise will develop online and offline awareness resources with key safety messages for secondary school pupils on the topic of cyberbullying. The Safer Internet Ireland Youth Panel will act as spokespersons for the campaign.
- Talks in Schools - in partnership with the Garda Schools Programme and SPHE SLSS, we will develop a 40 minute talk on the topic of coping with cyberbullying to be delivered by Gardaí in secondary schools as part of the Garda Schools initiative.
- Launch Event - There will be an event in February 2013 where the results of research and the consultation will be presented to key stakeholders and the media.
This year, we are running a social media campaign targeting teenage witnesses of cyberbullying. Aim: to change the attitude of bystanders to make them more likely to intervene positively in online bullying situations. Key Messages: - Bystanders can make a positive impact by showing solidarity with the victim of online bullying and by sharing useful advice on how to cope with these situations.
- Bystanders passively accept bullying by watching and doing nothing. Often without realizing it, these bystanders also contribute to the problem.
Online rights and responsibilities are key to all internet users, not just young people, to ensure a safe online experience. Firstly, all young people have a right to go online to learn, play and have fun. And all young people have the right to do this free from any of the dangers we commonly associate with the internet such as cyberbullying. But rights must be balanced with responsibility. We all have a responsibility to keep the internet safe. Young people, in particular, can enjoy all the benefits of the online world once they recognise some key responsibilities. Responsibilities like never sharing private information online are vital if young people are to get the most from the internet in a safe manner. We feel that if we help young people recognise their online rights and maintain their personal online responsibilities, the internet will be a safe place for all.
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