24TRA091 Social Media and Students: Challenges for Schools

Date:    Thursday, 14th March 2024
Time:    7pm to 8pm
Venue:  Online via Zoom

Target Audience: This webinar is aimed at Primary School Leaders, Teachers and SNA's.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Social Media and the challenges they present for students & schools (e.g. challenging Apps; age in-appropriate content & negative influence; online pressures; grooming; sexting; class group chats; mental health issues; screen-time);
• Cyber-bullying and empowering bystanders;
• How schools can discuss safe use of social media with students and appropriate use of devices by schools; 
• How schools can support parents -advice on devising an internet and technology use agreement; 
• Legal aspects and school policies -aspects to consider;
• Resources for use in the classroom

Bio of Presenter: DR. MAUREEN EDEL GRIFFIN

(B.A., M.A., PH.D. FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST, DIRECTOR MGMS TRAINING LIMITED)

 

Dr. Maureen Griffin, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. holds an honours degree in Applied Psychology, a Masters in Forensic Psychology and a Ph.D. in Applied (Forensic) Psychology (specifically in the area of Sex Offender Assessment).

Maureen has delivered lectures in the areas of abnormal psychology, mental health and crime, sexual offenders, online internet solicitation and risk assessment on Forensic Psychology, Criminal Behaviour & Criminalistics courses in Universities across Ireland. Maureen has also delivered guest lectures on Detective and Sergeant Training Courses in An Garda Síochána and on National and International Military Police Courses with the Irish Defence Forces. 

Maureen has visited over 700 schools (primary & post primary) across Ireland speaking with students, staff, BOM members and parents regarding issues around social media, cyber-bullying and internet and mobile phone safety. Maureen has also delivered presentations around social media and child protection for the HSE, Brothers of Charity, NEPS, Gardaí and the NAPD. Maureen has presented at the ILSA Conference, CESIT Conference, 4th Biennial Child Protection & Welfare Social Work Conference, UCC, Guidance Counsellors Conference and Youth Mental Health Conferences across Ireland. 

Maureen’s primary research interests are in the area of hebephilic sexual offenders, specifically focusing on the role of the Internet in the online solicitation of minors and the utility of implicit measurement techniques in the risk appraisal of sexual offenders. Maureen has analysed online grooming cases from America, identifying patterns of behaviour and escalation in risk of contact offending. Maureen has also worked with offenders in Irish prisons testing the efficacy of implicit measurement techniques in assessing risk.