A number of Westmeath schools are set to celebrate Safer Internet Day, an EU-wide initiative to promote a safer Internet for all users, especially young people, on Tuesday, 7 February.
This will be the fourteenth year of the event and this year’s theme is, ‘Be the Change: Unite for a Better Internet’.
Safer Internet Day is promoted in Ireland by Webwise the Internet safety initiative of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and aims to educate and raise awareness about protecting children online, so that they can responsibly enjoy the benefits of the Internet, without compromising their safety and privacy.
As part of their Safer Internet Day school campaigns, the Westmeath school students will be taught internet safety a number of different ways including: group workshops on cyberbullying, informative talks with parents and students about cyberbullying as well as art competitions focusing on internet safety.
The schools taking part in Wesmeath are Gateway Youth Project, Athlone; Milltown National School, Mullingar; Athlone Community College, Athlone; Tubber National School, Moate and Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar.
Last year over 67,000 young people and 463 schools and organisations celebrated Safer Internet Day across Ireland. This year, as well as student activities, a large focus of the Safer Internet Day campaign will be to enable parents to effectively create a better Internet by maintaining an open and honest dialogue with their children about their online lives.
Safer Internet Day 2017 is promoted by Webwise with a national public awareness campaign which will include a media launch event in Facebook HQ attended by education and technology industry professionals, parents associations, youth workers and school students. Jennifer O’Connell will host a live panel discussion during the event which will feature well-known Irish parents and parenting experts.
Webwise is calling on students to enter the ‘Safer Internet Day Snap Competition’ by simply sharing their Safer Internet Day celebration snaps using the hashtag #UP2US. Entrants will be in with a chance to win a Webwise Camera Kit, which includes a GoPro camera, camera bag, selfie stick and more.
TALK ON INTERNET SAFETY
Ahead of Safer Internet Day, Coláite Mhuie in Mullingar is hosting a free information evening on internet safety and cyber bullying at the school on Wednesday, 1 February at 7pm.
Dr Maureen Griffin of MGMS Training will speak to attendees on the areas of internet safety, with an opportunity for parents to discuss their views and concerns on the matter.
