Pictured L-R: Brian Frawley (Deputy Principal), Emily Fitzgerald, Rory Fitzgerald, Shona Connellan (Teacher)
The Awards celebrate the work being done by students and schools across Ireland to encourage the safe, responsible, and positive use of the internet and digital technologies as part of Safer Internet Day.Safer Internet Day is an annual global event that takes place each February, with over 200,000 people participating in activities across Ireland this year.
Rory Fitzgerald and Emily Fitzgerald were recognised in the SID Ambassador Leadership Award category for their peer-led online safety initiative.
As part of their activities, they raised awareness of AI, cyberbullying, and internet safety generally, with their project praised in the SID Awards for its wide-ranging activities, emphasis on inclusion, and its positive impact.
The pair were commended for their commitment to fostering a safer online environment.
Rory and Emily had participated in the Webwise Safer Internet Day Ambassador Training Programme, a peer-led initiative that supports students in leading their own online safety awareness activities within their schools and local communities.
Supported by teachers and fellow students, Rory and Emily led a powerful and engaging Safer Internet Day initiative in Ennistymon Community School that impressed with its creativity and impact.
Their work promoted respect, inclusion, and digital wellbeing through a range of thoughtful activities, while demonstrated the positive influence of peer-led online safety efforts.
Safer Internet Day is a global initiative that promotes a safer and more positive internet for everyone, especially children and young people. In Ireland, the day is coordinated by Webwise. This year, more than 200,000 children and young people took part in Safer Internet Day activities nationwide.
About Webwise : Webwise is the online safety initiative of the Department of Education and Youth and co-funded by the European Commission. It promotes safer, better internet use through awareness campaigns and educational resources for teachers, students, and parents.
Webwise develops resources to help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools.
Webwise also provides information, advice, and tools to parents to support their engagement in their children’s online lives. Through initiatives like the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel, Webwise creates youth-focused awareness campaigns and training on key online safety issues.
Find out more at webwise.ie.
