Every second level school in the State is to receive a copy of a new teaching resource that urges students to take responsibility for their privacy online. Jointly developed by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) for use on the Junior Certificate CSPE curriculum, Think Before You Click explores online privacy issues and encourages young people to take steps to protect their own privacy, and that of their classmates.
Launched today (Friday, 30 October 2009), at the Office of the Ombudsman for Children (Millennium House, 52-56 Great Strand Street, Dublin 1), Think Before You Click was developed with the cooperation of the Second Level Support Service and the Curriculum Development Unit. It is the first educational resource on this subject specifically designed for the Junior Certificate civics curriculum.
Speaking at the launch, ICCL Director Mr. Mark Kelly said:
“While young people enjoy the tremendous benefits of online access they also run risks to their personal privacy that are less well-known and understood. Think Before You Click is designed to empower young people to become effective, safe and autonomous users of the internet and other new media.”
Mr. Jerome Morrissey, Director of the NCTE added:
“Young people are enthusiastic about actively sharing personal information and opinion online, and often see online fora as private, and free from adult control. Despite the great advantages of the internet to young people, there are also risks, and balancing empowerment and protection is crucial. Think Before You Click strikes this balance, demonstrating to young people the power of new media for creativity, education and socializing, while also highlighting the need to use this technology wisely”.
Think Before You Click can be downloaded at: http://www.thinkb4uclick.ie/