Stay safe and connected this Safer Internet Day 2026! This Tuesday, 10 February, we join the global campaign coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology. This year’s theme, “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI,” focuses on helping everyone navigate artificial intelligence with confidence and critical thinking.
Navigating Today’s Digital World
To help our residents stay secure, we’ve highlighted key guidance on some of the most critical online safety topics:
- Smart Tech & AI: AI is now part of our daily lives, from chatbots to voice assistants. While it offers great benefits, it’s vital to use it safely—never share personal details with AI tools and remember that AI can sometimes provide incorrect or misleading information.
- Social Media & Gaming: These platforms are fantastic for staying connected, but it’s important to manage your privacy settings and be aware of who you are interacting with. Always use age-appropriate games and apps, and keep an open dialogue about online experiences.
- Managing Risks: * Misinformation: In an era of AI-generated content, always verify shocking or viral news with reliable sources.
- Online Challenges: While some viral challenges are fun, others can be harmful. If a challenge encourages dangerous behaviour, do not engage or share it; instead, report it to the platform.
- Cyberflashing & Sexting: Sending unsolicited explicit images (cyberflashing) is a crime. For young people, it’s important to understand the long-term risks of sharing intimate images (sexting) and to know that support is always available.
- Serious Online Harms:
- Sextortion & Coerced Abuse: This involves someone threatening to share private images unless demands are met. If this happens, Stop, Block, and Report. You are not to blame, and there are dedicated tools like Report Remove to help get images taken down.
- Online Bullying: Digital harassment should never be ignored. Most platforms have tools to block and report unkind behaviour.
Empowering Families with Parental Controls
We encourage all parents and carers to use parental controls to help create a safer digital environment at home. These tools can help filter inappropriate content, such as pornography, and manage screen time. However, technical tools work best when combined with regular, open conversations about online life.
How to Get Help: Reporting Online Harm
If you encounter something upsetting or illegal online, knowing where to turn is essential:
- Immediate Danger: Call 999.
- Grooming or Abuse: Report directly to National Crime Agency.
- Illegal Content: Use the Internet Watch Foundation to report child sexual abuse material.
- Harmful Content: Visit Report Harmful Content for assistance with legal but harmful material.
By making smart tech choices together, we can ensure the internet remains a space for creativity, learning, and connection for everyone in our community.
Childnet – Safer Internet Day 2026: Smart tech, safe choices This video provides an overview of the Safer Internet Day 2026 theme and the resources available to help navigate the safe and responsible use of AI
