Skip to content

AI and Online Safety

Find information and resources on artificial intelligence (AI) and online safety, how AI it can benefit and support users, as well the current limitations and concerns about its use.

AI in Schools Hub

The Oide Technology in Education AI in Schools Hub supports teachers and school leaders to engage with AI.

Learn about how to get started, key supports, videos, projects, research and insights.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. It uses algorithms—sets of rules or steps—to analyse, understand, and respond to information. AI can process vast amounts of data to recognise patterns and make predictions but cannot think or understand context like humans. Since its beginnings in the 1950s, AI has rapidly evolved, especially with the rise of Generative AI (Gen AI)—tools that can create new content such as text, images, audio, and video based on existing data.


AI is part of everyday life: virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, recommendation systems on Netflix or YouTube, social media algorithms that personalise feeds, and mapping tools like Google Maps all use AI. While AI and Gen AI bring benefits such as efficiency, innovation, and personalised experiences, they also pose challenges—responses can be biased or inaccurate, information requires checking, and issues around data privacy, security, and ethics continue to emerge.

AI and Online Safety for Schools

Artificial Intelligence systems and tools are already part of our everyday lives. As AI continues to evolve, it is important to be aware of the benefits and the risks it can have in teaching and learning.

This technology has the potential to transform education, so it is important for educators and students to understand how to ethically, critically and positively engage with AI in order to make the most of its potential. It’s important to note that AI can compliment, but not replace a teachers’ expertise. The human element a teacher brings to the classroom will still be crucial to fostering meaningful learning experiences.

AUP Generator

An Acceptable Use Policy is an important document which addresses all rights, privileges, responsibilities and sanctions associated with the use of the internet and digital technologies within the school, including online and offline usage.

The AUP Generator Tools also includes sections with statements intended as a guide for schools to collaboratively review, discuss, and agree upon their approach to integrating AI into learning, teaching, and assessment.

Explainer Guides

The last 3 years have seen advances AI that make us again question what AI is, and ask what its impact will be on society, education, and the future of work.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is a powerful artificial intelligence chatbot that can answer questions, hold text based conversations, and generate a response to user requests.

Snapchat’s My AI is described by Snapchat as an experimental, friendly, chatbot currently available to Snapchatters.

In this episode of Casting the Net, Emma from the Webwise Youth Panel spoke to Science and Technology journalist Elaine Burke.

Deepfakes are computer-created artificial videos in which images are combined to create new footage that depicts events, statements or action that never actually happened.

Have you noticed that when you go online or login to social media you are presented with content, news, articles or ads that somehow know the things that you are interested in?

In this artificial intelligence glossary, there are short explainers of commonly used artificial intelligence terms.

Resources

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? What are the considerations for the use of AI in primary and post primary schools? How do I link AI with the DL planning process?

This introductory online course provides teachers and school leaders with an understanding of AI. It explores the considerations for schools in using AI for educational purposes, including its potential benefits, limitations and ethical considerations. Enrol here.

This webinar delves into the increasingly prevalent role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our daily lives and its potential in education.

To raise awareness of the amount of time we spend on our digital devices and consider alternative ways to spend our time.

This lesson aims to raise awareness of the impact of facial recognition technology and its benefits and risks.

This module examines the responsible and ethical use of media and explores different types of misinformation.

This activity will help 9 to 12 year-olds to understanding impact of artificial intelligence and importance of critical judgment about technical applications; recognising digital technology in everyday tools and objects; reflecting on social practices and conventions; analysing information and reasoning to express an opinion.

This module introduces students to the topic of big data and gives an opportunity to explore how the data economy works. It aims to explore how and why online companies use personal information, the benefits it can bring and critique the ethical use of this information for profit

This useful infographic outlines some useful considerations for teachers in the use of AI.

Other Resources

This survey about AIEd is an overview of teachers’ use of AI and examines how AI can effectively support teaching. Conducted from the Greek Safer Internet Center of FORTH in collaboration with the Safer Internet Centers of Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, and Armenia, and with the support of the European Network of Safer Internet Centers, Insafe, it represents a significant international effort.

The European Commission has published guidelines to address how AI is used in schools, to support teachers and students in their teaching and learning, and to support administrative tasks in educational settings.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most transformative innovations of our time. While AI offers substantial benefits to individuals and society, it has major implications for privacy, ethics and security.
The ADAPT Centre offers a free modular workshop programme to help Transition Year (TY) students navigate the Age of AI successfully and safely.

A Digital Literacy intervention that will help in fostering critical conversations about technology, AI and their impacts. Developed by Tactical Tech’s youth initiative What the Future Wants, this learning experience equips educators, librarians and anyone working with youth aged 13-19 with a set of engaging and innovative digital literacy resources and methods that can be used in both formal and informal learning environments.

Helplines

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

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