The theme for Safer Internet Day 2026, created in consultation with young people across the UK, is: ‘Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI’.
About Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day is the UK’s biggest celebration of online safety. Each year they cover an online issue or theme that speaks to the things young people are seeing and experiencing online.
Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in approximately 170 countries worldwide.
Safer Internet Day 2026 takes place on the 10th of February, with celebrations and learning based on the theme ‘Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI’.
Why is it important?
The online world is a huge part of all of our lives, especially young people’s, and AI has become a bigger part of this space in recent years.
We know that the information AI gives out, and generates, isn’t always true, accurate, safe or based on evidence or information that trained professionals would share. This can potentially put us in danger or at risk, and make us feel worried or anxious about what is right, or true.
We hope the below resources can help support you with using AI in a way that is mindful, safe and helps you to look after your mental health and wellbeing.
AI Resources for Young People
Below are some useful blogs and resources to support you in using AI safely and responsibly:
- What Is AI? –a blog exploring what AI is and how we should view it’s role in our lives
- Being Mindful and Using AI Safely in the Online World – a blog exploring the potential impacts AI may have on our lives, and tips on how to feel safe and comfortable when using it
- Full Fact – a fact checking website which can be helpful in identifying AI content, especially around politics and celebrities
Resources for Parents, Carers and Professionals
Below are some useful blogs and resources to help you in supporting young people to use AI safely and responsibly:
- Top Tips for Parents and Carers – a resource created by Safer Internet for parents and carers
- AI Safety Resource Hub– a hub of resources for teachers and community leaders by the Raspberry PI Foundation
- AI Safety Tips for Parents – Kate Edwards, Associate Head of Child Safety Online at NSPCC shares her tips and advice on AI safety for parents
