Last Updated on 11th February 2026
Welcome Back to Your January Newsletter!
There has been lots happening in Safer Schools NI throughout the month of January leading up to the launch of our new Digital Proficiency Course. We’re so excited to announce its release in time for Safer Internet Day! Keep reading in this edition to find out a little more about the course, the tests and what’s been happening ahead of the launch.
News and Alerts ℹ️
A round up of the latest news and alerts sent directly to your Safer Schools NI App
Launch of the Safer Schools NI Digital Proficiency Course! 🚀
We are delighted to announce that our Digital Proficiency Course is now live within the Safer Schools NI web and mobile app for the entire school community. This video-based course and test aim to build knowledge and confidence for pupils, staff and parents/carers to navigate the online world safely.
It’s ready for you to participate within your Safer Schools NI app now!
Not seeing it in your app? Check out our tech support below!
We have been sharing the excitement with so many schools across the region who have already committed their participation in the course, some even delivering it to their pupils on launch day!
Check out the video below from the Department of Education showing our visit alongside Education Minister, Paul Givan to Braniel Primary School. It was incredible to see the course come to life in the P2 and P6 classrooms!
Guidance on Safe Use of AI Images 🗣️
The Education Authority, the PSNI, the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland and INEQE Safeguarding Group, incorporating Safer Schools NI, issued an urgent warning to educational and community settings regarding the criminal risks of using AI to create or share harmful, manipulated imagery of young people.
“We need to be crystal clear: the law applies to everyone. Creating, sharing and possessing these images is a crime, which is why it is critical that we educate and empower our children, and it starts at home.” Jim Gamble, QPM – CEO INEQE Safeguarding Group
Copyrighting and Reporting Content and Imagery ©️
Check out our latest article which explains how UK copyright laws protect personal images and provides practical steps like using the © symbol to help you maintain control over your content on social media. It also offers vital tips for parents on discussing digital footprints and privacy settings with young people to ensure they stay safe online.
Safer Sims and Mobile Providers 📲
Within your app’s Online Safety Guidance, we’ve released a new article on Safer Sims and Mobile Providers. UK mobile networks use content locks to protect under 18s from adult material, with newer innovations like EE’s “Safer SIMs” providing controls and scam protection. Read under Need to Know in your app to learn of the key features, pros, cons and how to’s for these network-level blockers.
Make sure your push notifications are on so you don’t miss the release of any safeguarding advice in your Safer Schools NI app!
Not receiving notifications? Read our support article here.
Technical Support 👩🏼💻
Latest App Update
Make sure you have the latest version of the Safer Schools NI app in order to view the new Digital Proficiency Course. If it’s not appearing in your app’s home screen, pull down to refresh and make sure there are no pending updates in your App or Google Play store. There will be a dedicated section for it at the top of your app so you can’t miss it!
If you are still having trouble, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or call us on 02896 005 777.
Don’t forget you can log into Safer Schools NI on any device with a web browser via the Web App, available now for all roles.
Community News and Updates 📢
Visit to Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock
In January, members of our service team headed out to meet with the parents and safeguarding team from Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock as they launch the Safer Schools NI app to their school community.
Make sure you’re in the know! Within your Safer Schools NI app, you have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips to move with confidence when it comes to online safety. Our Online Safety Guidance section of the app is always being updated to ensure you come out on top when battling digital risks.
Resource Highlight ✨
Digital Proficiency Tests
As well as the Digital Proficiency Course, you have access to the Digital Proficiency test within your Safer Schools NI app too!
Colin Stitt, Head of Safer Schools NI notes that “Decades ago, ‘Cycling Proficiency’ taught us to navigate the physical world safely; today that ‘road’ has become digital.”
These new tests allow you and the young people in your care to put your knowledge to the test to equip you to navigate the online world with confidence.
Focusing on the ”5 C’s” of online risk - Content, Contact, Conduct, Commerce, and Cyber Security - this tool provides the hard data and insights your school needs to bridge the gap between being tech-savvy and tech-safe. From AI usage to staff digital literacy, your child’s school will be able to measure exactly where it stands in the face of online risks.
Take the test now and you’ll receive a digital certificate upon completion, perfect to take pride of place on the fridge!
Media News 🗞️
📢 New Ulster University safeguarding report – Ulster University’s safeguarding report reveals that over half of young people in Northern Ireland experience illegal or harmful online behaviours, leading to urgent calls for stronger regulation and greater accountability for social media platforms
🛡 Cyber flashing just became a priority offence – here’s what changes from today - As of January 2026, the UK has designated cyber-flashing as a ”priority offence,” legally requiring tech platforms to proactively detect and block unsolicited sexual images or face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue
💻 Stormont to investigate rise in ‘pimping websites’ - A newly formed All-Party Group at Stormont has launched an inquiry into “pimping websites” to investigate how online platforms are being used by criminal gangs to exploit trafficked and vulnerable women in Northern Ireland.
🏛️ Belfast City Council set to suspend X use over AI deepfake concerns - Belfast City Council has voted to suspend its use of X due to safeguarding concerns over the platform’s AI tool, Grok, and its potential to generate non-consensual deepfake imagery.
🚫 Porn showing choking could be made illegal in NI - Justice Minister Naomi Long plans to extend UK legislation to Northern Ireland to criminalize the possession and publication of pornography depicting strangulation or suffocation, aiming to protect young people and prevent the normalization of life-threatening behaviour.
🤖 He calls me sweetheart and winks at me – but he’s not my boyfriend, he’s AI – Research highlights a growing trend of UK teenagers using AI companions for emotional support, with many finding these virtual interactions more satisfying than real-life friendships despite serious global warnings about safety risks and the lack of human guardrails.
License, Links and Logins 🔑
All the information you need to access the world of Safer Schools NI at your fingertips!
Did you know…
“Seven in ten (70%) children aged 11-17 had seen or heard some form of content harmful to children”
Source: Ofcom 2025
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