IRELAND
A new initiative aimed at promoting safer and
more effective use of social networking websites by children has been
launched by Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin.
The programme has been developed by the National Centre for Technology
in Education (NCTE) in partnership with the Social Personal Health
Education (SPHE) Curriculum Support Service and the National Parents
Council – Primary (NPC). It is intended to educate teachers and parents
as well as children on how to stay safe online, particularly when using
social networking sites such as Bebo, Facebook and MySpace.
As part of the initiative, a number of safety seminars are to be run
around the country which will seek to educate parents on how to
supervise their children's use of the internet. These seminars will deal
with issues such as cyber bullying, the disclosing of personal
information and the more effective use of social networking sites. In
addition, workshops and in-service training will also be offered to
primary and post-primary teachers.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, Minister Hanafin said: "This
new initiative will support both parents and schools in assisting our
children to develop the new life skills necessary to ensure safe and
worthwhile experiences with Internet technologies".
As organisations in over 50 countries around the world prepare to engage
in Safer Internet Day activities on the 12th February, Minister Hanafin
said that Ireland had been proactive in highlighting dangers and
improving information for all about the internet.
Nonetheless, the minister warned that more must be done to ensure that
chidren stay safe online.
"The internet is a hugely valuable resource for everyone including young
people. However, we must ensure young people understand that sources of
information put on the World Wide Web may not always be what they seem,"
said Minister Hanafin.
"There are also many dangers in providing personal information, which
can be accessed by people that it was not intended for. Young people
using social networking sites need to be aware of and sensitive to their
role in influencing the behaviour of others through their online lives,"
she added.
Charlie Taylor
5 February 2008
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0205/breaking52.htm
