Better Internet for Kids

In Ireland, the Digital Citizenship Champions Conference marked the fourth and final workshop in the Webwise Digital Citizenship Champions Programme. The event brought together participating teachers, and online safety stakeholders, to explore strategies for engaging and supporting parents and guardians in guiding children toward responsible digital citizenship.
The conference featured expert contributions from the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre, Coimisiún na Meán, and the ISPCC, while the keynote address was provided by internationally renowned parenting expert Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov. “From Passive Users to Active Citizens – Proactive Strategies for Fostering Digital Citizenship,” Dr. Milovidov shared insights drawn from her global experience.

 She urged a shift away from fear-based narratives, advocating instead for empowering and inclusive approaches to digital parenting and education. Her talk addressed issues such as misinformation, cyberbullying, unrealistic beauty standards, AI, and peer pressure online. Central to her message was the importance of building strong partnerships between young people, parents, and educators—grounded in critical thinking, trust, ethical technology use, and open dialogue.

The event also featured workshops and discussion groups to explore school and home partnerships; building digital resilience; changing culture; and sustaining the impact; alongside an outline of the Webwise resources that can be used by educators and schools to engage parents and guardians, and help them to support their child online.

Future directions for digital citizenship education – where are we now? Where are we going? 

This was the theme of a panel discussion featuring inputs from Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, Law Professor and eSafety Consultant, Prof. James O’Higgins Norman, Director – DCU Anti-Bullying Centre; Karen McAuley, Director of Policy for Children and Vulnerable Adults in Coimisiun na Mean; Fiona Jennings, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at ISPCC; Sandra Byrne, Principal of Scoil Nano Nagle, Clondalkin; and Sarah, member of the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel.

The discussion explored the opportunities and challenges facing young people, schools, and parents; what the research tells us; the Online Safety Code and new frameworks aiming to protect children online. The final word was given to the pupils of Moyderwell Mercy Primary School who spoke about what they like about the online world, the challenges they encounter, and what could be done to create the perfect online world.

Find out more about Webwise Digital Citizenship Champions Programme.

Find more information about the work of the Irish Safer Internet Centre, including their awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.