Kilkenny students lead the way in promoting online safety
Key issues include online bullying and misinformation
Three students from Kilkenny are among over 100 students across Ireland taking part in the Webwise Safer Internet Day (SID) Ambassador Training Programme 2025.
This peer-led initiative equips students with the knowledge and skills to run their own online safety campaigns in their schools and local communities. As part of the programme, Michaela Deenadayalan (Loreto Secondary School Kilkenny); Órla Brennan and Kaitlyn Summers (Presentation Secondary School Kilkenny) attended an in-person training day in Dublin, where they received support and guidance from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel.
The Ambassador Training Programme empowers students to take a leading role in creating a safer, better internet by tackling key issues like online bullying, misinformation, wellbeing, privacy, and digital rights.
The theme for Safer Internet Day 2025, happening on Tuesday, February 11, is "Prepare / Protect / Thrive: Navigating Algorithms and Influencers." This year’s campaign encourages schools, parents, young people, and educators to explore how algorithms and influencers shape young people’s online lives. The aim is to equip children with the skills to navigate the opportunities and challenges of these powerful online influences.
Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. It is promoted in Ireland by the Oide Technology in Education and Webwise, with over 200,000 people taking part in last year’s celebrations.