UNCRC Resource Hub

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Resource Hub

Webinars

Children and Young People Living in a Digital Environment, 21 June 2019

To explore the topical theme of children and young people living in a digital environment, Koulla Yiasouma, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, and CCEA joined together to host the second live chat for primary and post-primary pupils and teachers.

Koulla was joined in the studio by Wayne Denner and two members of the NICCY Youth Panel, Hanna Sabu and Abby Horner, who both asked and answered questions during the webinar.

Wayne is an expert on the challenges children and young people encounter in a digital world. He helps pupils learn how to better protect themselves online and how to use social media and digital technology responsibly, so they can fully enjoy the benefits and opportunities it offers.

Pupils explored the topic by sending in questions directly to the panel. These ranged from the opportunities the digital world brings to the dangers it can present. The discussions covered areas such as:

  • how digital skills and the digital environment are key aspects of the Northern Ireland Curriculum;
  • how technology can support and improve learning experiences;
  • safe internet use, including cyberbullying, digital footprints and the right to privacy;
  • social media and its effects on relationships and self-esteem; and
  • media literacy, such as spotting fake news.

The opening animation, Digital Footprint is courtesy of the BBC OWN IT series.

United Nations Universal Children’s Day, 20 November 2018

United Nations Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954 and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. 20 November is an important date because the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on this day in 1989.

To celebrate the 2018 Universal Children’s Day, Koulla Yiasouma, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, and CCEA joined together to host her first ever live chat for primary and post-primary teachers and pupils to learn more about the UNCRC. Understanding children’s rights and the UNCRC are key aspects of Personal Development and Mutual Understanding and Learning for Life and Work in the Northern Ireland Curriculum.

Koulla was joined in the studio by two members of the NICCY Youth Panel, Matthew Robinson and Aideen McHugh, who both asked and answered questions during the webinar. Pupils had the chance to explore and ask questions about issues affecting them and to find out more about how their lives are governed and how they can participate to improve the quality of their own lives.

Over 40 schools logged in to the live webinar and asked over 120 questions during two sessions: one for primary pupils and one for post-primary pupils. During these two sessions, the Commissioner, Aideen and Matthew answered as many questions as time allowed. Koulla promised to work through and answer all questions asked.

Two video recordings of the webinars (primary and post-primary) and two reports (primary and post-primary), including answers to all the questions asked, are available below.

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