Galway is Celebrating Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day (SID) is a global event celebrated in around 180 countries, promoting online safety awareness and education. This year, Safer Internet Day 2024 falls on Tuesday, February 6th, with various initiatives happening in Ireland.

“Tech in Our World” Event – February 6th: The Irish Safer Internet Centre is hosting a youth-led event, focusing on the theme “Tech in Our World.” Led by teenagers on the Webwise Youth Panel, the event will feature discussions involving students, educators, regulators, industry representatives, and online safety stakeholders. The event’s unique aspect is its 50/50 split, ensuring that post-primary school students are at the heart of the conversation. Key areas of concern include trust in technology, critical thinking skills, rights and privacy online, and the potential of new technology to both improve and create problems.

SID Ambassador Programme: Over 100 post-primary students from various counties in Ireland are participating in the SID Ambassador Training Programme. Trained by the Webwise Youth Panel, these students will lead online safety campaigns in their own schools and communities, emphasizing the importance of peer-to-peer awareness.

School Activities Nationwide: Schools all over Ireland will be actively participating in Safer Internet Day, conducting lessons, activities, and events to address various online safety topics such as privacy, cyberbullying, and misinformation. The Safer Internet Day events map on webwise.ie/saferinternetday showcases the breadth of activities happening across the country.

Parent/Guardian Engagement: Recognizing the crucial role parents/guardians play in online safety, Safer Internet Day encourages awareness and discussion. Top tips, addressing the challenge of children surpassing their parents in tech knowledge, and maintaining a healthy balance between online and offline activities are key points of focus. Free online safety webinars, featuring contributions from Snapchat, TikTok, and Apple safety teams, will be held throughout February.

Expert Spokespeople: Experts such as Jane McGarrigle (Webwise), Fiona Jennings (ISPCC), Áine Lynch (National Parents Council), and Niamh Hodnett (Online Safety Commissioner) are available to share insights and advice.

About Webwise and Irish Safer Internet Centre: Webwise, the online safety initiative of the Department of Education, and the Irish Safer Internet Centre, a partnership of Hotline.ie, ISPCC, National Parents Council Primary, and Webwise, work collaboratively to make the internet a safer space for children and young people.

For more information on Safer Internet Day 2024 events in Galway and across Ireland, visit webwise.ie/saferinternetday.