Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the measures in place for young people in order to promote appropriate use of information and communications technology particularly the use of the internet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39916/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Schools Broadband Programme provides broadband internet access to Primary and Post Primary schools and includes Content Filtering as an integral part of the service. The Content Filtering service is designed to control the level of access from schools, via the broadband network, to the wider internet. It does this by categorising websites under various categories and providing content filtering 'options' to schools which allow or block a combination of these website categories. Based on information and advice provided by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE), the schools themselves decide on which content filtering option is most appropriate to school needs and confirm this to the NCTE. This option is then set up for the school. Currently two options have been implemented for schools. However, this may change based on the feedback from schools and responding to schools requirements.

The Content Filtering service also implements a white list and blacklist policy. Websites which are categorised as appropriate for all schools are placed on a white list. In contrast, websites which are categorised as non-appropriate for all schools are placed on a black list. No school is connected to the internet via the schools broadband network unless it has confirmed in writing: a) an Internet Acceptable Usage Policy in place and b) its Content Filtering option to the NCTE. Content Filtering is a technology based service that assists in the management of websites for schools. Along with education / awareness and supervision it forms the basis of implementing a safe environment for pupils in schools.

The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) actively provides support and guidelines to schools regarding the use of the Information and Communication Technologies. Through its internet safety initiative the NCTE launched Webwise.ie, which creates awareness about new technologies and possible risks associated with their use by young people. The site provides tools and information to empower users on how to avoid or deal with these risks; in particular the advice given is technology independent reducing the number of messages a student needs to remember. In addition, the Internet Advisory Board is working in this area.

The NCTE has also published guidelines in relation to other information and communications technologies. For example, 'ICT Planning and Advice for Schools' highlights the educational potential of mobile phones and a copy of this pack was distributed to all schools and is available online at http://advicesheets.ncte.ie/ mobilephones/. It refers to the management of mobile phone use by students as an important issue and must be incorporated into the school's ICT Plan and Acceptable Use Policy.