Cyber Security Month 2025 - Schools Programme

With support from South Dublin County Council Libraries, and in collaboration with Barnardos, Cyber Safe Kids, and Cybersage, we delivered 80 in-school sessions focused on cybersecurity and online safety. These sessions were aimed at primary school pupils in 5th and 6th class, as well as secondary school students in 1st and 2nd year.

Three workshops were also delivered through Irish in Gaelscoileanna across the county by the Council’s Irish Language Officer.

Students learned about cyber threats and how to recognise them, staying safe online while browsing or gaming, securing their accounts, and understanding the risks and impact of cyberbullying.

The number of workshops is far more than originally planned but having received such strong engagement from schools through an expression of interest process, we found a way to deliver. Feedback from teachers and students on the workshops has been overwhelmingly positive with many requests to conduct similar events into the future.

Many students shared their thoughts on the workshops, highlighting several key takeaways:

• They remembered important messages such as the importance of keeping their identity private, practicing password safety, being mindful of their digital footprint, not sharing personal information, and understanding the impact of cyberbullying (including the relevance of Coco's Law).
• A significant number of students reported that their understanding and confidence in online safety improved as a result of the session.
• Several participants noted that the workshop was enjoyable, relevant to their lives, and presented in a way that was easy to understand.

Teachers also provided feedback on the workshops: 

• The workshop was described as “brilliantly delivered,” with the trainer engaging exceptionally well with the children. The content was regarded as the best seen on online communication—extremely relevant and up to date. The trainer was also praised for expertly handling student questions and being “amazing”.
• The information provided was current and highly useful, especially considering the rise of AI. The session was described as “very worthwhile and helpful for the children”.
• The content was clear, relevant, and appropriately tailored for 6th class students. The workshop was comprehensive, engaging, and helped children understand the dangers they may face as they approach their teenage years.

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