Safer Internet Day 2026

Safer Internet Day took place on the 10th February 2026, we joined thousands of schools, organisations, and communities across the UK in marking this important day.
Safer Internet Day is all about encouraging conversations around how young people use the internet: what they enjoy, what challenges they face, and how we can support them to stay safe and make positive choices when using or encountering Artificial Intelligence online. It’s a chance for all of us to play a part in creating a more supportive digital world.

To help make this year the biggest yet, the following links to free resources were made available to spark conversations and support learning The UK Safer Internet Centre.

Links and resources

The Professionals Online Safety Helpline (POSH) – To support professionals working with children and young people in the UK
Project Evolve – Free digital education toolkit to prepare learners for the digital world.
360 Degree Safe – an online safety self-review tool for schools.
STAR SEND Toolkit - Teaching toolkit to equip, enable and empower educators with the relevant knowledge to support young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND).
Report Harmful Content can help you to report harmful content online by providing up to date information on community standards and direct links to the correct reporting facilities across multiple platforms.

Top tips for Parents & Carers

For parents and carers

AI technology is increasingly part of all our lives, so this Safer Internet Day we are starting a conversation about how to use it safely and responsibly. Use these top tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe online.

Enjoy going online together and talk regularly about your family’s online lives

The internet is amazing and can help us all to access information and entertainment. Spend time online with your child to understand how they are using technology and talk together about the good and the bad parts of being online. Talk about your own experiences and find other opportunities to get the conversation started, like stories in the news. Make sure your child knows they can talk to you about anything that they see or experience online.

Understand where AI technology is being used and the impact it can have

From summaries on search engines, to voice assistants and photo editing tools, AI powered features are being added to many of the apps and devices we use day-to-day. Look out for information and warnings notifying you where AI technology is in use or where content has been created using AI. Help your child to recognise these too. Remember, AI can make some tasks simpler but may also collect data about you and your family, or share unreliable information, so consider how to use it safely and responsibly.

Recognise what safe and responsible use of technology looks like

To use technology, including AI, safely and responsibly, it’s important to reflect on the potential impact it can have on yourself and others. How does your use of technology make you feel? How can you use technology with kindness and respect for others? Does your use of technology benefit you or help you build skills? How might it affect you now, and in the future? Ask these questions of your own internet use, as well as your family’s.

Stay informed with free resources

Young people have told us about the incredible ways they’re using AI, but also about their worries for what it means for the future. Issues such as the environmental impact of AI, what it means for job prospects, and the threat of deepfakes can seem scary but remember, you don’t need to have all the answers. Stay informed using free resources like those produced for Safer Internet Day and talk to your child about their concerns about new technology – you can always work together to find more information.

Know where to go for help if something goes wrong

Like any technology, using AI comes with risks. Some AI tools, like ChatGPT, have built-in reporting features where you can raise issues such as inappropriate or harmful content. Many social media platforms also allow you to report content you suspect has been created with AI. Additionally, AI generated content can break the law. If you see illegal images that show child sexual abuse (including AI generated images), you should report these to the IWF and on the platform where they are being shared. If someone creates an image of you or your child using AI these can also be reported on the platform where they are being shared, and AI generated nude images can be reported to Stop NCII (for images of adults) and Report Remove or Take It Down (for images of under 18s).

Tips for Children & Young People

Top tips for 7-11's

Understand what AI is and how it can be used

Artificial intelligence technology is used by lots of people every day. AI suggests videos on streaming apps like Disney+ and Netflix, gives directions on map apps, can help translate different languages and can even create music and poems. Talk to your friends and family to see what they know about AI and where they have used it.

Consider how using AI can impact you and other people

Like a lot of other technology, AI can save us time and energy. You could use it to find the answer to a question, to check your spelling, or to create images or videos. Whilst AI can be a great tool, it’s important that we think about when and how we are using AI, and don’t use it in place of our own thinking and creativity, or to do things that may upset or worry other people.

Remember that AI is technology and isn’t perfect

Even though it might seem like it knows everything, AI can still get things wrong. If you are using AI to get information or help with something, it is important to think carefully about what it tells you and remember that it should never replace support from people you know and trust. If you are ever unsure about something AI has told you, check with other sources, this could include looking on websites you trust or talking to an adult.

Look out for signs that something might be AI generated

It can feel hard to tell if something has been created using AI or not. Some websites and apps will tell you that AI was used, but this doesn’t always happen. There are some signs you can look out for including if it looks surprising or shocking, if it looks too perfect, or if there are details you know aren’t true. If you see something you are not sure is created using AI or not, speak to an adult about the signs they look for and try to work it out together.

Know where to get help

Although we know that AI can be used in a lot of great ways, remember there is always someone who can help if you are worried about something that has been created by AI or if you have concerns about the way you or someone you know is using AI. You can speak to trusted adults like your parents, grandparents, teachers, or club leaders about any concerns you have online.

Top tips for 11-14's

Understand what AI is and how it can be used

Artificial intelligence technology is used by lots of people every day. AI suggests videos on streaming apps like Disney+ and Netflix, gives directions on map apps, helps translate different languages and is used in some games which have NPCs (non-player characters). Talk to your friends and family to see what they know about AI and where they have seen or used it online.

Think about what safe and responsible use of AI looks like

Although there are many tasks where AI can be helpful, there are also situations where using AI may stop us developing our own skills, provide misleading information, or be used to create harmful images or videos. It’s important that if you decide to use AI, you use it safely and responsibly. This may mean that you use your own skills or knowledge before turning to AI, or that you fact check the information it provides.

Remember that AI content can still be harmful

Remember that even if something was created with AI, it can still be upsetting, and some AI content can break the law. If you are using AI remember to ask yourself: is what I am creating kind? Will this cause people to worry or believe something that isn’t true? If you ever see something online that makes you worried or upset, whether you think it is AI or not, talk to a trusted adult and report the content on the platform where you saw it.

Consider the broader impact of AI technology

It can be exciting to see new technology emerge and develop over time, but everyone should get to choose whether they want to use that technology or not. Some people are worried about the environmental impact of AI, whilst others have questions about how it uses people’s data. Be curious about the tools you are using and research the broader impact to help decide if it’s something you want to use now or in the future.

Know when to report and get further help

If you are using AI tools for information, advice or to be creative it is important to know where to go if you are worried, see something which upsets you or feel reliant on AI. If you have seen AI content online that you are concerned about, report this on the service or platform where you see it and speak to an adult. Remember that AI should never replace support from people you know and trust.

Top tips for 14-18's

Understand what AI is and how it can be used

From video suggestions on streaming platforms to photo editing tools on our phones, AI powered features are being added to many of the services and devices we use. As AI use grows and develops, it can feel harder to recognise. Have conversations with people you know about how they are using AI, where they have seen AI online, and the signs to look out for that something was created by AI or not.

Think critically about when and how you use AI yourself

AI tools can save us time, give us inspiration, and even complete tasks on our behalf. Whilst AI can be helpful, it is important to get the balance right. Ask yourself if AI is helping you develop your skills or do you feel reliant on it? Is it inspiring your creativity or limiting it? Remember that the information given by AI is not always reliable and that as new AI tools are developed, not all of them will be safe or trustworthy. Make sure that you use AI positively and responsibly, and that you check the information it provides.

Explore the ethical implications of new technology

Technology is a part of all our lives, but new developments can have unexpected impacts for individuals and society. Everyone should get to choose whether using new technology feels right for them, but we also have a responsibility to create an online world that is safe and fair for everyone. There are debates about the environmental impacts of AI, concerns around data use and creative ownership, and evidence that some tools can be harmful or biased. Be an informed user of new technology by doing your own research and listening to the perspectives and experiences of other people.

Support others to understand what safe and responsible use of AI looks like

Be an AI role model for the people around you. If you feel comfortable and skilled in using AI, think about ways that you can guide and support others. You might help an older relative to plan a holiday itinerary or help a younger sibling to recognise when the information from AI is inaccurate. You could also test your family’s AI knowledge by taking one of the Safer Internet Day quizzes.

Speak out and get support if you need it

If you see AI being used in negative or harmful ways, such as for spreading false information or to bully others, report it on the platform where you see this happening. Although AI can be a source of advice or support, if you are struggling with any issue, online or offline, then it is best to talk to a trusted adult or your friends.