The Department of Education in Northern Ireland has introduced a free digital proficiency course targeting primary and post-primary pupils alongside their parents. The programme addresses online safety, digital literacy and responsible technology use across schools throughout the region.

The Irish Post reports that the initiative forms part of wider efforts to equip young people and families with skills to navigate digital environments safely. The course is available at no cost to participating schools and covers critical areas including privacy protection, identifying misinformation and understanding digital footprints.

The programme has been designed to engage both learners and parents simultaneously, recognising that digital safety requires coordinated understanding across households. Schools can register to access materials and structured sessions delivered through the Department of Education's approved providers.

The curriculum addresses age-appropriate content for primary and post-primary students, with parallel resources enabling parents to understand the same concepts and support learning at home. Topics include social media literacy, cyberbullying awareness, secure password practices and recognising online risks.

The Department of Education stated that digital proficiency is now essential for educational attainment and personal safety. The programme aims to build foundational skills that enable young people to use technology confidently while understanding potential harms and protective measures.

Schools across Northern Ireland can access the course through direct registration with the department. The initiative complements existing digital skills provision and online safety guidance within the statutory curriculum.

The programme reflects growing recognition among education authorities that digital capability must extend beyond technical skills to encompass critical thinking, ethical use and safeguarding competencies. Parents are encouraged to participate alongside children to reinforce learning and establish shared household practices around technology use.

Read more to see how schools can register for the digital proficiency programme.