Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 October 2024
95. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if the ‘Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free’ initiative will be extending to both public and private post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40537/24]
View answerThe wellbeing of all learners is a key priority of the Department, as well as the empowerment of parents and school communities through education and information. It was with this in mind that my Department published guidelines in November 2023 for parents of primary-age children called Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free. These guidelines provide practical advice and suggestions to support parents and parent associations wishing to develop voluntary codes regarding smartphone use among primary school children. The aim is to support parents who wish to come together with their school community to explore and agree the best approach to mediate their children’s engagement with the online world through the use of a smartphone device, including adopting a voluntary code for their children to not have a smartphone until a certain point in time.
Following the publication of the guidelines, a series of parent information sessions were held in various education centres throughout the county in relation to the smartphone guidelines and on online safety in general. A series of online webinars was also held. In addition, a “Digital Citizenship Champions” programme has been initiated with the aim of providing professional development to about 90 primary school teachers who will become “Digital Citizenship Champions”. The programme is designed around three key aspects: being online, well-being online and rights online. These champions will provide both in-person and online workshops and information sessions at their respective education centres.
The seminars and webinars were open to all primary schools, including fee paying primary schools. The workshops and information sessions will also be open to all primary schools.
