About

The Garda Primary Schools Programme

The Garda Primary Schools Programme is delivered to all classes in primary school  level. Gardaí visit each class at least once every academic year and use these visits to  engage with children and deliver key safety advice. Be Kind Online, developed in partnership with Webwise is designed to enable 3rd and 4th class pupils to understand what cyberbullying is, how it can hurt someone and how it can be prevented. The lessons in this pack promote respectful communication online and aim to foster a sense of care and respect for others online. The programme will equip children with the skills to deal effectively with cyberbullying.

Be Kind Online Lessons

Lesson 1

+Key Messages

Pupils should be enabled to understand

– What cyberbullying is

– How cyberbullying can hurt someone

– That cyberbullying is always wrong

– How their actions, inaction and responses to what others post online can contribute to cyberbullying, whether consciously or inadvertently

– What they could do to prevent cyberbullying happening to themselves and others

+Resources needed

– PowerPoint presentation (see below)

–  Be Kind Online Animation: Áine’s Story (both available at webwise.ie/bekindonline or garda.ie)

+Important information

– Preparation is required before delivering the lesson. Use the checklist inside the booklet (p.4) to help prepare for the talk.

– It is advisable to read the guidelines and meet with the school before delivering this lesson (See p.6-8).

– Before delivering this lesson, it is advisable that you familiarise yourself with the school Child Safeguarding Statement, Anti-Bullying Policy and the guidelines on dealing with a disclosure outlined on p.8 of the How to use this resource section.

– Pupils should complete Worksheet 1 before the first lesson.

+Discussion Guidelines

Discussion guidelines:

When discussing bullying / cyberbullying in the classroom, encourage the pupils to talk in general terms and not to name or identify other individuals

e.g. using words like:
“Someone might … and this could cause a person to feel …”
“Sometimes a person could ……

Pupils should be encouraged to justify their comments and responses e.g. “I think this because…”
Justifying and explaining points of view will enable other children to gain a better understanding of the thinking and reasoning processes that are taking place.

Lesson 2

+Key Messages

Pupils should be enabled to
a. Build on their understanding of
– How cyberbullying happens and that cyberbullying is always wrong
– How cyberbullying can hurt someone
– How they can contribute to cyberbullying through their action, inaction and responses to what others post online

b. Develop strategies to keep themselves and others safe online

 

c. Understand the importance of telling if they or someone they know is cyberbullied

 

d. Understand the role the Gardaí have in dealing with cyberbullying

+Resources needed

–  Be Kind Online PowerPoint Presentation available at webwise.ie/bekindonline or on garda.ie

– Video: Donal’s Story available to watch at www.webwise.ie/bekindonline

– Worksheet 2 – Take home activity to be given to pupils at the end of the lesson

–  Appendix 3 – Be Kind Online Colouring Template

– Be Kind Online Class Agreement

Teaching Resources

Webwise develop and disseminate free resources that help teachers integrate internet safety into
teaching and learning in their schools. The resources address a range of key topics, and hard copies can be ordered for free. The Garda Schools Programme lessons should complement school engagement on the topic of online safety. Remind teachers of the FREE resources available on webwise.ie to support additional lessons on the topic.

Webwise Parents

Webwise provides a range of supports available for parents including expert advice videos, explainer
guides, talking points, free resources and checklists. Remind schools about the Webwise Parents Hub, offering free advice and resources for parents on a range of online safety topics and issues available at webwise.ie/parents.

Talk to someone

Worried about something you have seen online or concerned about your child? Childline and the National Parents Council Primary offer free advice and support service.

Childline is a support service for young people up to the age of 18.There is a 24hr telephone, online and mobile phone texting service.

1800666666
50101
Get started


The National Parents Council Primary enables and empowers parents to be effective partners in their children’s education.

01 887 4477
helpline@npc.ie

Report Illegal Content

Sometimes you might unwittingly stumble across illegal online content like child abuse imagery. Always remember: you can report it and get it removed using Hotline.ie.

More on illegal content

Make a report


Hotline.ie exists to combat the distribution and proliferation of illegal content, like child sexual
abuse content, in conjunction with police and Internet Industry