Longford schools and families urged to take a ‘CyberBreak’ on Friday

Ireland's online safety charity 'Cybersafekids' is calling on  Longford schools and families to participate in their 24 hour  'Cyberbreak' this Friday from 5pm . 

'Cybersafekids' is encouraging families to embrace the opportunity of having device-free time to discuss how they can find a healthy balance between their online and offline lives and to make it a fun-filled and memorable day for the whole family. To help prepare for the 'Cyberbreak' the charity have created online resources for schools and families on their website (https://www.cybersafekids.ie/cyberbreak/) . These resources include Classroom Activities such as short talks from Author and psychotherapist, Richard Hogan on the benefits of taking a digital break for both primary and post-primary school aged children as well as some activity ideas to challenge pupils to think about life offline and what it was like in the olden days before smart devices,  a family fun Guide with over 38 fun ideas and delicious recipes from Lilly Higgins to help families plan their time offline and top online safety tips: our top tips for parents and caregivers to help keep your kids safer online.

Recent CyberSafeKids research  found that 93% of children aged 8 - 12yrs own a smart device and 84% are signed up to social media and messaging apps, despite being under the minimum age requirement of 13 for all of the popular sites. The charity provides tips to help parents monitor this  and extra resources on their website https://www.cybersafekids.ie/cyberbreak/