Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures in place in schools to promote media literacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60760/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Existing curriculum from early childhood to senior cycle offers multiple opportunities for the development of digital skills and digital literacy, which includes media literacy. Reform of the curriculum at all levels is already underway to ensure that young people are equipped with the digital skills and literacy required to participate fully in society.

At primary level, the Primary Curriculum Framework identifies being a digital learner as one of seven key competencies. This competency supports children to become curious, creative, confident, and critical users of digital technology, while fostering responsible, safe, and ethical use of technology. The framework also proposes that digital technology become part of the Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum area, with its own subject specification for third to sixth class.

The Primary Language Curriculum further promotes media engagement through activities involving podcasts, videos, advertisements, and broadcasts. It highlights the importance of Digital Literacy, supporting children’s ability to locate, select, and critically analyse information across text, visual, and audio media. It also encourages creative and imaginative engagement with digital technology.

In addition, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education specification at primary level focuses on Scientific Inquiry, Design Thinking, and Computational Thinking, all of which foster foundational digital and analytical skills.

At post-primary level, the existing curriculum continues to provide multiple opportunities for developing digital skills and media literacy. The Framework for Junior Cycle has an explicit focus on digital competence, requiring students to use technology and digital media tools for learning and communication in a responsible and ethical way.

For example, in Junior Cycle English, students engage with non-literary texts such as advertisements, media broadcasts, articles, speeches, and social media posts. They interpret meaning, compare perspectives, evaluate effectiveness, and respond critically to media and digital media. Many Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) also require students to conduct online research and reflect on their findings, directly applying digital literacy skills.

There is also a specific short course in Digital Media Literacy at Junior Cycle, where students learn to use digital technology effectively, evaluate multiple sources of information, and participate safely and responsibly in online environments.

At Senior Cycle, opportunities for digital literacy continue across subjects such as History, English, and Politics and Society. The forthcoming updated SPHE specification will also include learning outcomes related to digital literacy and online safety.

Finally, beyond the curriculum itself, there are broader actions to strengthen digital literacy under the Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024–2033, ensuring a coordinated national approach to these essential skills.

Key to the Department of Education and Youth’s Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 is that all learners are given the opportunity to use digital technologies in their learning to reach their full potential and provide them with the necessary digital skills needed for an increasingly digital world. Oide Technology in Education (Oide-TiE) together with its digital technology teams, design, develop and deliver a comprehensive range of teacher professional learning programmes to support the embedding of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment to support and foster the development of digital skills and knowledge.

Online safety and the safe and ethical use of digital technologies is a key component of the Digital Strategy. Under the strategy, Webwise, the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, promotes the autonomous, effective and safe use of the internet through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting school leaders, teachers, parents and children themselves. Webwise develops and disseminates resources that help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools. Webwise also run campaigns addressing key topical issues as they arise. With the help of the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel, Webwise develops youth-oriented awareness raising resources and training programmes that promote digital citizenship and address topics such as online wellbeing, cyberbullying and more.

Among the resources covering the topic of mis/disinformation and finding reliable content online are the Webwise Connected programme for Junior Cycle students and the HTML Heroes Programme at primary level for 1st-4th class pupils. In addition, the topic will also be addressed in a new 5th-6th class Digital Citizenship Programme launching in 2026. Support and training for educators on the topic of mis/disinformation is provided through free courses (online and face to face) and via the Webwise Digital Citizenship Champions Programme.

Webwise (www.webwise.ie) is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, providing free information, advice and resources for schools, families and young people on online safety and digital citizenship. Webwise is funded by the Department of Education and Youth and co-funded through the European Commission and is part of the Irish Safer Internet Centre. The Irish Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of four leading organisations: Webwise (www.webwise.ie), Hotline.ie (hotline.ie/), ISPCC (www.ispcc.ie/childline/), and National Parents Council (www.npc.ie) - with a mission to make the internet a better place for children and young people under the coordination of the Department of Justice.