Webwise is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre which promotes the autonomous, effective, and safer use of the internet by young people through a sustained information and awareness strategy. As part of the PDST Technology in Education, it promotes and supports the integration of Digital Technology in teaching and learning in first and second level schools. The PDST Technology in Education is a section of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), a support service of the Department of Education’s Teacher Education Section. By collaborating with stakeholders from industry, civil society, government and law enforcement, Webwise contributes to shaping policies and promoting online safety.
A freely accessible online platform, Webwise offers information, advice and education resources addressing a range of internet safety topics and concerns. In the Teachers Hub, teachers can find webinars, advice and guidance as well as plenty of free resources, including a recently launched Cyberbullying Guidance Hub with comprehensive advice on the topic of online bullying and abuse. In the Parents Hub, parents and guardians can get advice and access materials such as the free Parents Guide to a Better Internet. Children and young people benefit from plenty of webinars, resources as well as expert advice on a wide array of topics. Additionally, youth can apply to join the Youth Advisory Panel, allowing them to advocate for better online safety and speak up on behalf of their peers. They can also participate in peer training and provide support for their peers.
The online resources and materials are pertinent to anyone looking to improve internet safety and may be used across Europe. Some videos have already been translated into Spanish, Croatian and German. Webwise is also involved in the annual EU-wide Safer Internet Day, collaborating with initiatives across Ireland. The next Safer Internet Day will be held on 6 February, 2024.
Almost 200,000 children and young people took part in initiatives across Ireland to mark Safer Internet Day 2023
Launch of Silent Witness, an online bullying awareness campaign
Webwise is a key educational resource identified in the Government Action Plan for Online Safety
Jane McGarrigle, Project Officer janemcgarrigle@pdst.ie
General information: internetsafety@pdst.ie