Safer Internet Day 2025 takes place on Tuesday, 11 February and our friends at Webwise want Post-Primary schools, their teachers, students and parents to get involved.
Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. Safer Internet Day in Ireland is coordinated by the Irish Safer Internet Centre, a partnership between Webwise, ISPCC, National Parents Council, and Hotline.ie, providing a range of complementary online safety services, including an education and awareness centre, child and parent helplines and a hotline. The Centre is coordinated by the Department of Justice and co-funded by the European Union.
Here are 5 ways for Post Primary Schools to take part! Please note that this content is not suitable for Primary school-aged children.
1. Share your plans for Safer Internet Day
Planning an activity for Safer Internet Day? Share your plans! The interactive SID map highlights schools and organisations across who are Ireland getting involved. Register to be featured and receive a free SID pack and wristbands!
2. Support this year's theme #PrepareProtectThrive: Navigating algorithms and influencers
The theme for Safer Internet Day focuses on how algorithms and influencers shape young people's online experiences. The goal is to equip children with the skills to navigate the opportunities and challenges posed by these powerful online forces.
Support the Safer Internet Day 2025 theme by exploring the topic with students using the free education resources, classroom videos and activities.
- A fully scripted presentation is available for teachers to use to explore this topic in the classroom. The presentation, full script and supporting material can be accessed for free.
- Use Connected: An Introduction to Digital Media Literacy to explore topics including online wellbeing, algorithms and filter bubbles.
- Help students understand Persuasive Design and Facial Recognition using lessons available on webwise.ie.
3. Use the Free Webwise online safety resources, lessons and videos in your class
Safer Internet Day is a great time to explore online safety topics and issues in schools. Use the FREE Webwise resources, lessons and presentations to address topics such as cyberbullying, privacy, respectful online communication, screen time and online wellbeing and more.
You could start a conversation about consent using the Lockers programme, or help students to understand the opportunities and challenges of being online using the My Online World resource.
These resources can be accessed for free on webwise.ie and we also send out hard copies to schools.
4. Invite a Garda to deliver a lesson using the Garda Schools Programme
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.
The Connect with Respect lesson for Post-Primary 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. It aims to help students recognise that online harassment and cyberbullying is not acceptable and in some cases is a criminal offence.
5. Get parents involved
Parents have a vital role to play in helping their child or teenager to have a be safe, responsible, and positive online, and Safer Internet Day is a great time to get parents involved!
Encourage them to visit webwise.ie/prepareprotectthrive to access lots of advice and information to help them to support their child online.
Webwise are also running a series of free webinars that explore topics including online bullying, rights online, misinformation and developing a family agreement. These are a great opportunity for parents to hear from experts on key online safety topics. More information and registration details are available on webwise.ie.
These are just a few ideas for what can be done to mark Safer Internet Day 2025, but how you highlight online safety is up to you! You can find lots of more ideas on how to celebrate Safer Internet Day on the Webwise SID Hub.
Whatever activity you choose to do, be sure to join in the national and international conversation online using #SID2025, #PrepareProtectThrive and tag Webwise on social media.
