Virginia students recognised for online safety

Virginia College students Maureen England and Alicia Bourgoin have been recognised for their outstanding leadership and dedication to promoting online safety as part of Safer Internet Day 2025. The pair were Highly Commended in the Webwise Safer Internet Day (SID) Awards for their comprehensive and impactful campaign encouraging safer, better use of the internet.

As participants in the Webwise Safer Internet Day Ambassador Programme - a peer-led initiative that empowers students to lead online safety awareness campaigns in their schools and communities - Maureen and Alicia demonstrated strong initiative and creativity in delivering a wide-ranging programme of activities.

The SID Awards celebrate the efforts of students and schools across Ireland in promoting the safe, responsible, and positive use of the internet and digital technologies.

Safer Internet Day is a global initiative that promotes a safer and more positive internet for everyone, especially children and young people. In Ireland, the day is coordinated by Webwise. This year, more than 200,000 children and young people took part in Safer Internet Day activities nationwide. Webwise is the online safety initiative of the Department of Education and co-funded by the European Commission.