Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
76. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education what measures she is taking to ensure that on-line safety is taught in primary schools to support anti-bullying programmes/plans already in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6400/24]
View answerThe existing curriculum at primary level offers multiple opportunities for the development of digital skills and digital literacy. At primary level the focus is on educating children to keep safe online, be respectful of others online and help teachers integrate internet safety into teaching and learning in their schools.
There are extensive training and curricular supports available, including through the Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum, to assist schools in the development of policies and practices on the safe use of the internet and to promote students’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. The strand unit of ‘Media Education’ at primary enables pupils to become aware of and learn about various forms of communication, including digital communication, and to think critically about it.
Reform of the curriculum is underway which will further ensure that our children and young people are equipped with the necessary digital skills and literacy required to participate fully in society.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 sets out my Department’s policy approach to continue the progress made in embedding digital technology across the curriculum and in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment in primary and second level schools. The strategy will be supported through a capital investment of €200 million over its lifetime under the National Development Plan 2018-2030.
There is a wide range of training material and resources available through my Department's Webwise Internet Safety Programme to support teachers, students and parents on online safety. This includes a range of curricular supports for teachers that they can use when teaching pupils/students about online safety including how to deal with cyberbullying and online harassment and the importance of respectful online communication.
I launched Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying on 1st December 2022. Cineáltas is dedicated to the prevention and addressing of bullying, cyber bullying, racist bullying, gender identity bullying and sexual harassment, among other areas, in schools.
There are a number of actions in Cineáltas that relate to the area of online safety. Under Cineáltas, my Department provides funding to the Dublin City University Anti-Bullying Centre to support the delivery of their FUSE anti-bullying and online safety programme for schools. My Department is currently funding the development of additional modules of the FUSE programme. My Department also engages with the Online Safety Commissioner and contributes to the work of the National Advisory Council for Online Safety.
Work is well underway to review and update the 2013 Anti-bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools, in partnership with all the education partners. The procedures are being updated to take account of gender identity bullying, cyber bullying, racist bullying, sexist bullying, and sexual harassment. The updated procedures are due to be published in the coming months with CPD/training being developed for all school staff, board of management members and parents.
Cineáltas builds on the achievements and ambition of the previous Action Plan on Bullying published in 2013, taking into account the work undertaken in recent years to ensure that our schools are safe and happy places for all our children and young people.
In addition, I have recently issued advice and resources for parents and parents associations who are interested in adopting a voluntary ban on smartphones within primary school. This initiative was specifically developed in response to concerns around the potential harms associated with the misuse or overuse of smart phones and associated social media platforms, particularly for younger children. I have also provided additional funding to Webwise to provide seminars and webinars in Education Centres around the country.
