A NEW app to safeguard young people when online has been launched by Education Minister Michelle McIlveen.
The Safer Schools NI app was designed and created by online safeguarding experts, INEQE Safeguarding Group and aims to "help educate, empower and protect school staff, parents and carers and pupils".
Customised for each school, it means teachers and staff will find their own school news feed with essential updates and information and it also contains age-appropriate safeguarding resources.
Ms McIlveen said: "I encourage all schools, parents and carers to download and make use of this free app. Keeping our children safe and ensuring their mental health and wellbeing is looked after has never been more important."
Jim Gamble from INEQE Safeguarding Group said: "School staff can access contemporary safeguarding information and a range of resources relating to safeguarding in the context of social media, including digital imagery, bullying, sexting and gaming.
"Parents and carers can access information on the popular social media platforms used by their children.
"The pupils’ app is split into primary and post primary versions which provide access to age-appropriate information, advice and guidance on how to be safer online.
"Topics include image sharing, bullying, how to manage personal information and privacy considerations."
