Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the use of social media by primary schools; the steps he is taking to ensure that children whose parents do not wish their child to feature in the school's social media posts are not excluded from school activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20237/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The use of social media by schools is a matter for the board of management of each individual school. My Department provides information to schools on the safe and ethical use of the internet generally and has a broad suite of policies to support the safe and appropriate use of digital technologies in schools.  Schools are advised on the following matters; the development and implementation of an Acceptable Usage Policy (AUP) governing the use of internet in schools which can include reference to social media; the promotion or awareness regarding online safety; and the implementation of a content filtering/monitoring system.

A school’s policy in relation to the use of social media however should allow for parents to choose the context in which their child is to feature in the school’s social media posts without the child being excluded from school activities.  Where parents have a concern in relation to a school's social media policy and participation in school activities, they should raise the matter with the board of management of the school concerned.