Safer Internet Day 2026
Empowering Families for a Safer Digital World
Every year, Safer Internet Day brings together parents, teachers, and communities to promote safer online environments for children and families. This day is recognised around the world on February 10, 2026 and is a fantastic reminder of the importance of digital safety. In my past life, I have witnessed the dangers that hide in the darkest corners of the internet and, more importantly, the impact they have on children and those who care about them. My aim is never to use scare tactics; rather, it’s to empower you with knowledge and practical steps to keep your family safe in today’s digital world.
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What is Safer Internet Day?
Safer Internet Day began way back in 2004, over the years, it has expanded greatly into a global initiative celebrated in over 200 countries! This day highlights the importance of safe and responsible use of online platforms and digital devices. Organisations like the UK Safer Internet Centre provide valuable resources to help families and teachers promote safer digital practices.
This Year’s Theme
This year the chosen theme is one that I have posted about a few times, as it is a very current and prominent trend that isn’t going anywhere!
‘Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI’.
Artificial intelligence is already an integral part of daily life, and it’s something that you need to discuss with your children. Help to set safe boundaries around the use of AI tools and highly encourage them to think critically about how they use them.
Demonstrating responsible technology use is an effective way to teach your children about online safety. Show them how to use devices safely by sharing examples of safe online behaviours, such as not sharing personal information with people they do not know and securing their accounts properly.
The Role of Parents in Digital Safety
As a parent, I have mentioned on many occasions that your role is very important, as the education system tends to be a postcode lottery, so you need to take the responsibility to ensure your own children are aware of risks and how to be safe. Setting and agreeing on online boundaries with your child is important, as I bang on incessantly about it begins with open & honest communication. Encourage your children to share their online experiences with you, and create a non-judgmental atmosphere where they feel comfortable discussing any concerns they might have with you.
Setting Boundaries and Guidelines
Establish clear rules for internet use. Creating a family internet safety plan is useful and can include guidelines on screen time, acceptable websites, and privacy settings to be enforced.
Leveraging Technology for Safety
Use technology as a partner in this journey. There are numerous parental control tools and apps available that can help you monitor your child’s online activity. Look for user-friendly options that suit your family’s needs, and involve your children in the process to help them understand why these tools are important. Have a look at some of my other blog posts on the topic of parental controls.
Staying Informed About Online Trends and Building a Culture of Safety
The online world is ever-evolving, so you, as parents, need to be ever-evolving and stay up to date with the latest digital safety trends and risks. Subscribe to safety newsletters, attend workshops, and engage with communities focused on online safety to continually educate yourself. Oh, make sure you are subscribed to my blog as I am here to fight the good fight by your side!
Enabling a culture of safety at home improves your child’s understanding of online behaviour and increases their chances of not becoming the next victim of an online predator.
Safer Internet Day is an opportunity for everybody to take collective action toward creating a safer digital environment for children. We can enable families to navigate the online world safely. It shouldn’t be one day a year; you need to help make the internet a safer place every day for your children and others.
As always, thank you for your support. Please share this across your social media, and if you do have any comments, questions, or concerns, then feel free to reach out to me here or on BlueSky, as I am always happy to spend some time helping to protect children online.
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