Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I was looking at the Seanad on TV and wondered if I would make this.

Online safety is not just a technical issue for young people, it is also a well-being one. Young people are already dealing with cyberbullying, misinformation and data privacy issues. They must be part of the solution. This peer education initiative respects their lived experience and aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. I call on the Minister for education to support the development of this infrastructure for a national pilot programme modelled on It Takes A Village, which was led by a school principal in Greystones, Ms Rachel Harper, who is a pioneer. We need to invest in young digital citizens who can lead with knowledge, compassion and resilience.