Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) · 1st Year · Digital Wellbeing and Safety · 1.º Período

Seeking Help and Support Online

Knowing where to find reliable health information and safe support services for young people online in Ireland.

TL;DR:Knowing where to turn for help is a key part of the 'Resilient' indicator. In the digital age, students are often bombarded with health information, not all of it reliable. This topic focuses on identifying trustworthy online support services in Ireland, such as Childline, Jigsaw, and SpunOut.ie, and learning how to evaluate the credibility of health websites.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA SPHE Specification Strand 3: Emotional Wellbeing (3.3)
• Junior Cycle Wellbeing Indicator: Resilient

About This Topic

Knowing where to turn for help is a key part of the 'Resilient' indicator. In the digital age, students are often bombarded with health information, not all of it reliable. This topic focuses on identifying trustworthy online support services in Ireland, such as Childline, Jigsaw, and SpunOut.ie, and learning how to evaluate the credibility of health websites.

Students also learn the technical steps for reporting harmful content or 'grooming' behaviors to authorities like the Gardaí or Hotline.ie. This builds their confidence in navigating the internet safely. This topic comes alive when students can use collaborative investigations to 'vett' different websites and use role plays to practice the steps of reaching out for support.

Key Questions

1. What makes a website a reliable source of health information?
2. Which Irish organisations provide support for teenagers?
3. How can I report harmful content online?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Helplines are only for 'extreme' emergencies.

What to Teach Instead

Students often wait until they are in crisis to seek help. Through the 'Support Map' activity, they learn that services like SpunOut.ie are there for everyday worries and information, not just emergencies.

Common Misconception

If it's on a professional-looking website, the health advice must be right.

What to Teach Instead

Many students are fooled by good web design. The 'Website Vetting' task teaches them to look for medical credentials and evidence-based information rather than just a 'clean' look.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

The Website Vetting Team

Groups are given three different websites offering health advice. They must use a 'Trust Checklist' (checking for authors, dates, and .ie or .org domains) to rank them from most to least reliable.

35 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk

The Support Map of Ireland

Stations around the room feature different Irish support organizations (e.g., Pieta, BelongTo). Students move around to find which service is best for specific scenarios, like 'feeling lonely' or 'questioning identity.'

30 min·Whole Class

Role Play

Making the First Contact

Students practice what to say when they first reach out to a support service, whether it's a text to a helpline or an email to a counselor. This lowers the barrier to seeking help in real life.

25 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most reliable health websites for Irish teenagers?

We recommend HSE.ie, SpunOut.ie, and Jigsaw.ie. These are evidence-based and tailored for the Irish context. In class, we teach students how to identify the '.ie' and '.gov' markers that signal a trustworthy local source.

Is Childline just for children?

Childline is for everyone up to age 18. They offer a phone line, a text service, and an online chat. We practice 'making the first contact' in class so students know it's a friendly, non-judgmental space for any worry.

How do I report illegal content online in Ireland?

You can use Hotline.ie to report illegal content like child abuse material. For immediate safety concerns or 'grooming,' you should contact the Gardaí. We ensure students know these specific Irish pathways for their own safety.

How can active learning help students seek help online?

The biggest barrier to seeking help is often 'not knowing what to say.' Active learning, like role-playing the first contact or investigating support sites in groups, makes the process familiar and less intimidating. It turns a scary 'big step' into a manageable set of actions.