A new Digital Proficiency Course designed to help pupils and school communities stay safe online has been officially launched by Northern Ireland Education Minister Paul Givan.
The free online course is delivered through the Safer Schools NI platform and aims to equip children and young people with the practical skills and knowledge they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
The Digital Proficiency Course has been made freely available to all education settings, pupils and parents across Northern Ireland, ensuring consistent access to high‑quality online safety education. The initiative is designed not only for pupils, but also for parents and wider school communities, recognising the shared role they play in supporting children’s online wellbeing.
The course was formally launched during a visit by the Education Minister to Braniel Primary School, one of 400 schools already pre‑registered to take part.
The course will officially go live on Safer Internet Day, marked on 10 February 2026, aligning with international efforts to promote safer and more positive online experiences for children and young people.
Delivered via the Safer Schools NI platform, the course focuses on empowering pupils to understand online risks and make informed choices. It provides guidance on topics such as:
- Staying safe on social media
- Recognising and responding to online harms
- Understanding emerging digital platforms
- Building confidence and resilience online
Northern Ireland’s Education Minister, Paul Givan, commented:
“Our children and young people are engaging daily with technology, social media, and digital platforms at increasingly younger ages, and while some of these technologies offer benefits and create opportunities, they also contain potentially harmful risks.
“It is vital that we provide our schools with the resources that can support teachers and education staff to equip children and young people with the skills to navigate the digital and online world. Educating and empowering school communities is key to ensure pupils know how to access support from trusted adults or to report content when it makes them feel unsafe.
“The Safer Schools Digital Proficiency Course has been developed and designed to address this need.”
The approach reflects growing awareness of the challenges children and young people face in an increasingly connected world.
The Safer Schools NI platform is funded by the Department of Education and offers a wide range of resources, advice and guidance for schools, pupils and parents. It places particular emphasis on emerging online risks, new social media platforms and evolving digital behaviours, helping schools keep pace with a rapidly changing online environment.
By offering the Digital Proficiency Course free of charge and encouraging early uptake from schools, the Department of Education aims to strengthen digital literacy and online safety across Northern Ireland.
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