Tullamore students promote online safety at Dublin training event

Two students from Sacred Heart School, Tullamore, are among a group of over 100 students across Ireland who took part in the Webwise Safer Internet Day (SID) Ambassador Training Programme for 2025.

This peer-led initiative is designed to equip students with "the knowledge and skills to run their own online safety campaigns in their schools and local communities."

As part of the programme, local students Hannah Parker-Kelly and Maryam Aater from the Sacred Heart school attended an in-person training day in Dublin, where they received support and guidance from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel.

Organisers explained that the Ambassador Training Programme "empowers students to take a leading role in creating a safer, better internet by tackling key issues like online bullying, misinformation, wellbeing, privacy, and digital rights."

Safer Internet Day 2025 will be taking place on Tuesday, February 11, and will have a theme of, 'Prepare / Protect / Thrive: Navigating Algorithms and Influencers'.

This year's campaign encourages schools, parents, young people, and educators to explore how algorithms and influencers shape young people's online lives.

The aim is to equip children with the skills to "navigate the opportunities and challenges of these powerful online influences".

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 Oide Technology in Education and Webwise, with over 200,000 people taking part in last year's celebrations.

More information is available at: webwise.ie.