THE results of a new survey on cyberbullying will be revealed at a public meeting next Monday (March 10) at St Kevin’s Secondary School, Ballygall.
The survey was initiated by Dublin North West TD, John Lyons (Lab) who has issued an open invitation to local parents, students and youth organisations to attend the meeting which begins at 7.30pm.
“After being contacted by local parents about internet safety concerns, I launched an online safety campaign with local schools to get young people’s opinions on cyberbullying and access to the internet,
? he said.
“The survey results, which will be announced at the public meeting on March 10, asked students about their experiences of being bullied online, how they responded – if at all – and what measures they think should be done to prevent online bullying.
?
The issues will be discussed at the meeting by a panel which includes Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte, Youth Engagement Officer with ReachOut.com Nigel O’Callaghan and a representative from the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group set up by Minister Rabbitte.
Deputy Lyons is also encouraging those concerned about cyberbullying to have their say by engaging in a public consultation process that will help shape new Internet legislation.
The consultation by the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group aims to get views from the public on internet safety, bullying and harassment and access to age-inappropriate content.
The consultation process was highlighted last month on Safer Internet Day when it was announced that the deadline for submissions was to be extended until March 18.
During Safer Internet Day Finglas student Caitlin Mahon helped launch the #UP2US Anti-Bullying Kit which contains awareness raising material for schools.
The material is part of a new teaching resource for dealing with the issue of cyber-bullying through the SPHE curriculum in post primary schools.
The pack challenges young people to find new ways to use the internet and social media and to stand up to bullying and show solidarity with victims.
As an incentive to inspire students to use the #Up2Us resource, internet safety initiative Webwise is offering a live school gig with award winning singer songwriter Gavin James to the school that does the most to create a positive, inclusive online culture.
Closing date for entries is April 30 and full details are available online at watchyourspace.ie/winprizes. Submissions to the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group can be made online at dcenr.gov.ie/Broadcasting/ICG.
Students and parents can also access information on preventing cyberbullying through teacher Paula O’Connor’s
‘Don’t Be Mean Behind Your Screen’ initiative. Details can be found at facebook.com/dontbemeanbehindyourscreen.