Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1012. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what steps are being implemented to enhance education on digital literacy and the risks associated with exposure to online pornography, in order to safeguard children and prevent the development of sexually harmful behaviours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20637/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The development of digital skills and literacy must start from a young age. The Department of Education’s response to the provision of digital skills and literacy within early childhood and care and school settings includes:

o Curriculum at all levels

o Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027

o STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026

o Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033

Existing curriculum from early childhood to senior cycle offers multiple opportunities for the development of digital skills and digital literacy. Reform of the curriculum at all levels is already underway which will ensure that our young people are equipped with the necessary digital skills and literacy required to participate fully in society.

Online safety and the safe and ethical use of digital technologies is a key component of the Department’s Digital Strategy for Schools. The Strategy supports an extensive array of training material and resources developed and provided by Webwise, the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, to support teachers, students and parents on online safety. Webwise is funded by the Department of Education and the EU Internet Safety Initiative and is part of the Irish Safer Internet Centre, which also partners with Hotline.ie, ISPCC Childline and the National Parents Council.

Webwise promotes the autonomous, effective and safe use of the internet by young people through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting school leaders, teachers, parents and children themselves, with consistent and relevant messages. It develops and disseminates resources that help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools. Webwise is funded by the Department of Education and the EU Internet Safety Initiative.

The webwise.ie resource includes a dedicated School/Teachers Hub, a Parents Hub and a Youth Hub. These give practical information and advice on the safe, ethical and responsible use of the internet and address key issues such as cyberbullying, sexting, image sharing, respectful communication, social media, popular apps and more. Among the resources available on the Webwise Parents Hub is access to advice from experts on key online safety topics. Specifically with regard to pornography, the parents hub resource Parent's Guide to a Better Internet contains guidance and advice for parents regarding children and pornography, and young people and pornography. The Parents hub also includes the following resources on this issue:

• Dr. Colman Noctor - Talking to your child about online pornography: www.webwise.ie/parents/need-talk-porn/

• Dr. Colman Noctor - How can watching online pornography affect your child: www.webwise.ie/parents/can-watching-online-pornography-affect-child/

• Dr. Colman Noctor - How to react to your child seeing porn Colman Noctor

• Talking Points: Online Pornography: www.webwise.ie/parents/talking-points/talking-points-online-pornography/

Throughout the implementation of the Digital Strategy, Webwise will continue to develop and disseminate relevant resources and run campaigns addressing key topical issues as they arise.

To address the need to support teachers in upskilling in digital citizenship, a “Digital Citizenship Champions” programme has been developed, to equip primary teachers with essential knowledge, skills and resources to effectively teach and champion digital citizenship in schools and through their local Education Centre. In addition, an “Agree to Agree” pilot online safety initiative is currently underway across three education centres and involves 21 primary schools. Each school community is supported to collaborate, design and implement an Internet and Technology Use Agreement particular to their individual circumstance. It is intended to progress and expand these programmes, to also include post-primary schools.