'Think B4U click' is an educational resource that has been specifically designed for teachers of Junior Certificate CSPE who wish to explore the issue of online privacy in the context of online rights and responsibilities. The ultimate aim of this resource is to empower students to be effective, autonomous and safe users of new media; digital citizens.

This resource sets out to make students aware that when online, just as in all other aspects of their lives, individuals have human rights. Everyone is responsible for their actions towards other people and is responsible for the safeguarding of other people's rights. This is particularly pertinent in the realm of Web 2.0 where online communities are largely unregulated and rely on the community members to moderate them by reporting inaccuracies, defamation, and posting of inappropriate content.

The methodology employed by this resource guides students through the issues using active methods to stimulate discussion and allows students the space to consider how these issues affect them personally, how to assert their online rights, and how to respect the rights of their peers.  

The resource consists of 11 lessons which follow sequentially. However it is intended that the lessons could be adapted at the teacher's discretion. Each class comprises aims, learning outcomes, CSPE and ICT curriculum mapping and a step by step guide.

The growth of online tools provides a wealth of opportunities for young people to write about their lives, talk and, more importantly, a place where their friends can find them. Young people are enthusiastic about actively sharing personal information and opinion. Teenagers, having a heightened need to communicate and to be included in social networks, willingly exploit these online facilities and push the boundaries of the technology to their ends.

Many teenagers see these online areas as private and free from adult and parental control but allowing opportunities for regular and instant communication with peers. However, as we feel our way in this massive social experiment, some downsides of this phenomenon have emerged. Balancing empowerment and protection is crucial, increasing online access and use tends to increase online risks. Conversely, strategies to decrease risks can restrict children's online opportunities, possibly undermining children's rights or restricting their ability to cope independently.

The NCTE, the ICCL and the Citizenship Education Support Team of the SLSS have worked together in a positive way to develop this educational resource which will be used by schools to empower young people to be more effective and safer users of new media for identity, sociality, creativity and education. Promoting the concept of online rights and responsibilities, this resource will help to advance young people's use of new media from initial enthusiasm towards civic participation.

Parents, schools, and service providers all have key roles to play in protecting children and educating them in the responsible use of new communications technologies. While schools cannot have sole responsibility for dealing with cyber bullying, education plays a central role in communicating risks and effective risk reduction strategies to children,

young people and parents. Effective educational approaches integrate parents as active facilitators of their children's media literacy and foster an ability in children to manage potential risks in online environments.

The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) is focused on empowering children and young people to be safer, more effective and responsible internet users for life. The measures undertaken by the NCTE include:

• The website www.webwise.ie - a key resource on internet safety, advice and guidance for pupils, teachers and parents.
• Internet safety seminars for parents in schools nationwide, in partnership with the National Parents Council (NPC).
• Providing internet safety training for teachers.
• The development of integrated educational programmes.

The single biggest step we can take towards ensuring the safety of children online is for their parents to get involved in their online lives. The NPC Primary, working with the NCTE, has developed the 'Webwise Parents' Seminar' to take the mystery out of the internet for parents and to give them the skills to engage with their children's online lives.

The NCTE's continuing professional development programme offers a range of Internet safety courses for teachers. To date, over 10,000 places have been filled on courses that provide teachers with advice and strategies for developing safe approaches to teaching and learning while using the internet.