Buncrana students Caoimhe Lafferty and Kayla McEleney take a leading role in promoting online safety

Being safe online means individuals are protecting themselves and others from online harms and risks which may jeopardise their personal information, lead to unsafe communications or even affect their mental health and wellbeing.

And the good news id two students from a Donegal school take a leading role in promoting online safety

Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana students Caoimhe Lafferty and Kayla McEleney are among more than 140 students from across Ireland who are taking part in the Webwise Safer Internet Day (SID) Ambassador Training Programme.

Find out what you can do and get free resources by visiting the Webwise Safer Internet Day Hub at webwise.ie/saferinternetday

The peer-led programme equips students with the knowledge and skills to lead their own online safety awareness-raising campaign in their schools and local communities. 

The girls attended the in-person training day in Dublin, where they received training and support from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel.

The theme for Safer Internet Day 2023, which takes place on Tuesday, February 7, is promoting respectful, inclusive online communication, and aims to empower young people to build positive and inclusive online communities.

The Webwise Safer Internet Day Ambassador Training Programme gives students the opportunity to take a leading role in promoting a safer, better internet and tackle issues that are important to them including online bullying, wellbeing and privacy online.

Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU-wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. It is promoted in Ireland by the PDST Technology in Education and Webwise, with a record-breaking 183,000 people taking part in last year’s celebrations. 

Everyone has a role to play in helping to create a safer, better internet.