Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
327. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on concerns regarding the use of social media by schools (details supplied); if her Department has considered offering guidance to schools on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40946/26]
View answerThe Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the national independent authority responsible for upholding the fundamental right of individuals to have their personal data protected. It is the supervisory authority responsible for monitoring the application of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). The statutory powers, duties and functions of the DPC are as established under the Data Protection Act 2018.
The responsibility for compliance with data protection legislation rests with each school board of management. Schools/Education and Training Boards are separate data controllers from the department under data protection law and are responsible for their own compliance with the GDPR and Data Protection Act. Schools can consult with their management body and/or the DPC if they require further advice.
The DPC recently published a "Data Protection Toolkit for Schools" to assist with specific concerns and challenges faced by schools and following consultation with a number of organisations in the education sector. The Toolkit includes specific guidance about photographs of pupils and is available on the DPC's website at: www.dataprotection.ie/en/dpc-guidance/data-protection-toolkit-schools
Child welfare and protection policy is based on a legal framework provided primarily by the Child Care Act 1991 and the Children First Act 2015. Children First operates under the premise that it is the responsibility of everyone in society to keep children and young people safe from harm. This responsibility includes keeping children safe from harm online. The Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 require schools to address online safety explicitly in their Child Safeguarding Statement and risk assessment, and where risks have been identified, policies and procedures that are in place to manage the risk must be set out in the Child Safeguarding Statement.
On the general issue of online safety in schools, Webwise develops and disseminates resources that 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. Webwise is part of the Safer Internet Ireland consortium and partners with ISPCC Childline, Irish Internet Hotline and the National Parents Council (NPC) under the umbrella of the Irish Safer Internet Centre to provide a range of complementary online safety services. Webwise also provides some advice on posting photos to school websites, available awww.webwise.ie/teachers/posting-pictures-to-your-schools-website-2/
The Department issued a communication to all schools in January highlighting updated information and guidance for parents and schools on the risks, harms and safeguarding issues associated with nudification apps, but also reminding schools of the range of online safety supports available through Webwise and the Department. The communication included the information outlined above regarding data protection.
