To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) any work being undertaken in relation to anti-bullying legislation, and policies, in the rapidly evolving context of online safety and AI; and (ii) how this is being communicated to schools.

My Department is committed to tackling all forms of pupil bullying type behaviour and recognises the particular risk posed by cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is a particularly complex legal area, drawing on several pieces of criminal justice legislation. It is, therefore, not an issue on which the Department can act or legislate independently. Recognising that cyberbullying and online safety are crosscutting issues, my officials are working closely with the Department of Health, other government departments and key stakeholders to deliver the objectives set out in the cross-departmental Online Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland and Action Plan.

While the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (the Act) recognises cyber-bullying as one possible form of bullying type behaviour that can take, it does not contain provisions to specifically tackle cyberbullying. However, the Act is sufficiently broad to encompass cyberbullying.

In terms of the wider context around online safety and Artificial Intelligence, implementing a robust and effective mobile phone policy in schools can also significantly reduce the opportunities for inappropriate behaviour linked to personal mobile phones. With this in mind, in September 2024, the Department issued ‘Guidance for Schools on Pupils’ Personal Use of Mobile Phones and other Similar Devices During the School Day’, which guidance recommends that pupils do not use their mobile phones during the school day and that phones should not in normal circumstances be brought into primary schools. The guidance sets out a range of potential approaches to restricting the use of mobile phones in schools and key practical issues that should be considered and are likely to form part of a school’s policy approach on mobile phone use.

The Department also funds the Safer Schools NI platform that is made freely available to all education settings, pupils and parents. The platform provides advice, guidance and information on a range of safeguarding issues, with particular attention paid to risks in the online world, emerging social media platforms and online harms.

Furthermore, my Department engages closely with the Education Authority (EA) across all of its policy areas, including matters relating to cyberbullying and online safety. This ongoing collaboration ensures that both the Department and the EA are aligned in their approach and able to provide schools with timely, accurate and practical information. As issues emerge or guidance is updated, these are communicated directly with schools to support effective implementation and safeguard the wellbeing of pupils.

Finally, I would note that, while I am aware of the risks associated with the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), as well as of social media and associated applications, it is important to acknowledge that GenAI has the potential to transform the delivery of the curriculum. It can be utilised to free up time for school principals and teachers to focus on the education and learning of our young people, ensuring that this is done in a safe and secure manner. Therefore, my officials are working with a range of education partners to develop guidance for schools on the use of GenAI and I anticipate the guidance will be made available to schools soon.