10 Ways to get Involved in Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day is fast approaching. Here are some easy ways to get involved and promote this important topic in your school, club or community.
1. Invite the Gardaí in for a talk in your school.
Safer Internet Day is a great time to consider the Garda Schools Programme!
In partnership with Webwise, two new lessons have been developed for Primary and Post-Primary students as part of the Garda Schools Programme.
- Be Kind Online is designed to enable 3rd and 4th class pupils to understand what cyberbullying is, how it can hurt someone and how it can be prevented. The lessons promote respectful communication online and aim to foster a sense of care and respect for others online. The programme will equip children with the skills to deal effectively with cyberbullying.
- Connect with Respect addresses the topic of cyberbullying, and aims to try to prevent this behaviour from happening and to empower pupils to respond effectively if cyberbullying and harassment does occur. The lesson is designed to help students at the Junior end of post-primary, between the ages of 12-14, to understand the impact of their actions and that it may in fact constitute cyberbullying and online harassment.
2. Host a parents evening:
3. Run a Poster Competition in your school.
4. Start a conversation about consent in your school
Use the SPHE Lockers resource to address important topics with second-level students including sexting, victim blaming, peer-pressure and media influence. Start a conversation about consent and victim blaming using an extract from Louise O’Neills best-selling book, Asking for it in Lesson 3 of the Lockers resource. Access the lesson here: webwise.ie/lockers-lesson-3/
5. Promote responsible photo-sharing
Play the short cartoon, The Photo, to show how photo-sharing can quickly get out of hand. Then have students use calculators or a pen and paper to complete the Going Viral worksheet. This activity shows how, within minutes, a photo can be shared with thousands of people online. The Photo video is available to view here https://vimeo.com/
6. Debate the issues:
- Images shared online are just as permanent as tattoos
- The owner of a photo posted online is the person who took it and not the subject of the photo
- People should be free to post whatever they decide online
Ask some people to explain why they chose a particular side and give people the freedom to change sides if they are convinced by other people’s arguments. We have created a lesson plan on debates here.
7. Promote a safer, better internet among students using the free Webwise Safer Internet Day presentations.
Promote a safer, better internet among students using the free Webwise Safer Internet Day presentations. The scripted presentations have been specifically designed to assist schools/organisations participating in Safer Internet Day. The resource can be used at a whole school assembly or within the classroom. Presentations are available for primary and post primary students and are supported by activities and video materials.
8. Watch an internet safety video.
Webwise has created a number of videos that cover a variety of internet safety topics. Videos can be viewed here webwise.ie/video-resources/. These are a good starter for conversations on safe online communication and practices.
9. Order your FREE SID Wristbands:
Go to webwise.ie/saferinternetday/submit-sid-event/ to share your plans for Safer Internet Day and receive your FREE Safer Internet Day wristbands for all your participants. Your school, club or organisation will also get featured on our event map. Get your school on our map! Stocks are limited so register soon!
10. Share your Safer Internet Day events and activities on social media, and have fun and enjoy celebrating Safer Internet Day with over 135 other countries.
Connect with us on Facebook facebook.com/Webwise Instagram WebwiseIreland or Twitter @Webwise_Ireland. You could be in with a chance of winning some great prizes in our SID Awards competition. Please check back for details soon. Visit our dedicated page webwise.ie/saferinternetday for news and ideas.
Why not see what other countries are doing across the world by visiting www.saferinternetday.org. Browse what other countries are doing to celebrate Safer Internet Day. Did you know over 170 countries take part all across the globe, from Australia to Zimbabwe?!
