The development of digital media literacy and online resilience among children and young people is supported through a range of measures delivered through the curriculum, the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, digital teacher professional learning and wider online safety and youth-focused initiatives.
Existing curriculum at each level offers multiple opportunities for the development of digital skills and digital literacy. Reform of the curriculum at all levels is already underway which aims to ensure that our young people are equipped with the necessary digital skills and literacy to recognise mis and dis information and AI-generated online content.
At Primary level, for example, the Primary Language Curriculum promotes digital literacy, supporting children to locate, evaluate and interpret information across text, visual and audio formats and the Primary Curriculum Framework identifies being a digital learner as one of seven key competencies, fostering curiosity, creativity and responsible technology use. In addition, The Wellbeing Curriculum includes outcomes focused on Media and Digital Wellbeing, supporting safe and ethical use of technology and understanding media influence.
At Post-Primary level the Framework for Junior Cycle embeds digital skills across all key skills and subjects, with a strong focus on responsible and ethical technology use. Examples include Short Courses in Digital Media Literacy and Coding explicitly which develop students’ ability to analyse digital content, counter misinformation, and build computational thinking. Junior Cycle English incorporates critical analysis of media texts and social media communication, and, across subjects such as History, English, SPHE and CSPE, students explore the role of digital media in society and learn to critically evaluate information.
Digital skills and literacy are also supported through the Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033 which identifies digital literacy as a core skill for all learners in a technology-driven world. It prioritises building critical thinking, problem-solving and digital skills so learners can recognise and respond to misinformation, disinformation, and AI-generated content.
Key to the Department of Education and Youth’s Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 is that all learners are given the opportunity to use digital technologies in their learning to reach their full potential and provide them with the necessary digital skills needed for an increasingly digital world. The Technology in Education unit of Oide (the Department funded support service for teachers and school leaders) together with its digital technology teams, design, develop and deliver a comprehensive range of teacher professional learning programmes to support the embedding of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment to support and foster the development of digital skills and knowledge.
Online safety and the safe and ethical use of digital technologies is a key component of the Digital Strategy. Under the strategy, Webwise, the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, promotes the autonomous, effective and safe use of the internet through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting school leaders, teachers, parents and children themselves. Webwise develops and disseminates resources that help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools. Webwise also run campaigns addressing key topical issues as they arise. With the help of the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel, Webwise develops youth-oriented awareness raising resources and training programmes that promote digital citizenship and address topics such as online wellbeing, cyberbullying and more.
Among the resources covering the topic of mis/disinformation and finding reliable content online are the Webwise Connected programme for Junior Cycle students and the HTML Heroes Programme at primary level for 1st-4th class pupils. In addition, the topic will also be addressed in a new 5th-6th class Digital Citizenship Programme launching in the coming weeks. Support and training for educators on the topic of mis/disinformation is provided through free courses (online and face to face) and via the Webwise Digital Citizenship Champions Programme.
[Webwise] is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, providing free information, advice and resources for schools, families and young people on online safety and digital citizenship. Webwise is funded by the Department of Education and Youth and co-funded through the European Commission and is part of the Irish Safer Internet Centre. The Irish Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of four leading organisations [Webwise], [Hotline.ie], [ISPCC][
]and [National Parents Council] - with a mission to make the internet a better place for children and young people under the coordination of the Department of Justice.
In addition, Oide provides a variety of professional learning to teachers that places the learner at the centre of the learning experience. It provides school-based supports, workshops, specific resources and training online and in person. Oide has dedicated Wellbeing teams at Primary and Post-Primary. These teams support teachers and schools, through the Social Personal and Health Education curriculum, to develop and promote the personal development, health and wellbeing of the student, to create a positive school environment and culture, and, to prevent and tackle bullying, including online bullying and harassment.
