by Catriona Mulcahy, Webwise, Ireland
As children and young people increasingly encounter and use AI in their everyday lives, understanding how these technologies work and the opportunities and challenges they present can help support safe, responsible and informed engagement with them. Webwise, the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, supports schools, teachers, parents and young people to navigate AI safely and responsibly through a suite of lessons, guidance, advice and practical resources.
The Webwise AI Aware Hub provides a central source of information, with a growing range of supports. These are some of the key resources available for schools and teachers, parents and young people.
Supports for schools
Free curriculum-aligned lessons for primary and post-primary
The AI Aware lessons explore the theme AI Aware: Safe, Smart and in Control and are designed to support educators and schools.
The 6th Class lesson explores new and emerging technologies, in particular developments in artificial intelligence. It gives pupils an opportunity to learn about technologies such as Generative AI (Gen AI), the opportunities and challenges they present, and how to engage with them in a safe and responsible way.
The post-primary lesson explores the growing presence of Generative Artificial Intelligence, in particular AI chatbots, in young people’s lives. It looks at both the challenges and opportunities they present and encourages students to think critically about how they interact with AI technologies and to develop strategies for safe and balanced use.
The lessons were developed in collaboration with Dublin City University, with special thanks to Dr Dónal Mulligan. They are available for teachers and schools to access for free.
Image Guidance for Schools
Images and video play a valuable role in school life. Recently published Image Guidance for Schools highlights key considerations for protecting students and staff when taking, using and sharing images and videos, particularly as AI technologies continue to evolve and the potential for images and videos to be manipulated or misused.
Webwise developed in consultation with the Irish Safer Internet Centre partners (Irish Internet Hotline, ISPCC and National Parents Council) and Oide Digital Technologies, and informed by the UK Online Harms Early Warning Working Group guidance on Protecting your setting’s images from AI manipulation and abuse.
Additional relevant supports are provided to schools, including guidance on incorporating AI within their Acceptable Use Policy, details on relevant Online Courses, Considerations for Schools, and links to related resources, policy and guidance, and practice and perspectives.
Resources for families
The Parents’ Guide to Generative AI provides practical advice and guidance on safely and responsibly navigating GenAI. Developed in collaboration with the Research Ireland ADAPT Centre and the National Parents Council. The new guide explores the views of both parents and young people in relation to generative AI, highlights the opportunities and the risks, and provides parents with practical information, advice and conversation starters to support their child in using generative AI safely, appropriately and responsibly.
As AI is increasingly embedded in many of the apps and platforms young people are using, Webwise Explainer Guides provide jargon-free information about how they work and what parents should watch out for. From Snapchat’s MyAI to ChatGPT, these guides can help parents understand the technologies their children may encounter online.
Support for young people
The AI Aware Checklist was co-created with students on the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel. Through discussions with the panel, they identified that a resource to help young people navigate generative AI would be useful for their peers. The students contributed to the language used and the advice provided, bringing different voices and perspectives to the development of the checklist. It is designed to help teens better understand and safely use generative AI tools.
The checklist forms part of the wider AI Aware resources and provides young people with a way to consider how they use AI and engage with these technologies safely and responsibly.
Other resources for young people explore topics including their rights online, how algorithms shape their online experiences, and other aspects of AI and the online world.
Learn more about the curriculum-aligned resources and guidance for schools to practical advice for families and young people by visiting https://www.webwise.ie/aiaware/
Author
Catriona Mulcahy is Project Officer with Webwise – the Irish Safer Internet Centre. She supports the coordination of national campaigns, including Safer Internet Day, collaborates with key stakeholders, and promotes online safety and digital literacy through media, conferences, and professional networks. She also has responsibility for developing and maintaining online content and services. Catriona is involved in several Working Groups in the European INSAFE Network to support online safety and media literacy initiatives, and she is also active member of Media Literacy Ireland.