Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has welcomed the news that over 600 teachers have undertaken training to address incidents of cyberbullying. The online training to address cyberbullying is being provided by Oide, the Department of Education’s professional development service for school leaders and teachers.

The online courses were developed with Webwise in September 2022 to provide teachers with a clear understanding of what cyberbullying is and how to deal with it. Teachers are updated with the most recent research on cyberbullying in Ireland on the courses. They also advise teachers about how to address a cyberbullying incident and communicate with those involved, as well as how to identify opportunities to teach about cyberbullying through the curriculum.

So far, 210 teachers at primary level and 438 at post-primary level have undertaken the courses.

Minister Foley said: “It is so important that every child and young person can feel happy, safe and included in school. We know, however, that they can experience bullying – which can rob them of their sense of self-worth and have a lasting negative impact. Where bullying happens online, it can feel particularly difficult to escape. Just one nasty and hurtful online message can constitute cyberbullying, as messages can be quickly viewed and shared by so many others.

“As we look ahead to the coming school year, I would like to thank all the teachers and school leaders who work to help address bullying in all its forms. I particularly welcome all of those who have undertaken the training courses provided by Oide. The courses have been designed to help support teachers to understand and respond to incidents of cyberbullying and their effects. In addition, they provide opportunities to practice integrating teaching on the topic so pupils and students are empowered to recognise and know how to respond most appropriately should they encounter an experience of cyberbullying.”

These courses are continuing to run and are available to teachers at any time. Unlimited places are available, with teachers who undertake the training receiving a certificate on completion. The Department is currently planning additional courses to be made available in the future to further support teachers and school leaders in their work with pupils and students.

The training aligns with Minister Foley’s focus on working to prevent and address bullying in schools and ensuring wellbeing is at the core of school life, as reflected in the Cineáltas Action Plan on Bullying. The programmes deliver on a key objective of the Cineáltas Implementation Plan to provide school staff with the knowledge, resources and confidence needed to teach about cyberbullying and also to deal with cyberbullying incidents as they arise.

The recently-published Bí Cineálta Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour provide schools with a range of resources and guidance on how they can support students and help to prevent and address bullying behaviour. The procedures can be accessed on Gov.ie, while a copy will also be with all schools in the coming weeks. Their implementation will be supported by a suite of professional learning resources and information sessions for school staff, board of management members and parents, with further information on these to be made available in early September. Further resources to support teachers in integrating online safety and learning in their schools is also available from Webwise.

Teachers and school leaders can access the courses provided by Oide at the following links:

Cyberbullying in Primary Schools: Understanding, Preventing and Responding

Cyberbullying in Post-Primary Schools: Understanding, Preventing and Responding

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