The internet is an integral part of children’s lives. It shapes how they learn, communicate, and explore the world, offering valuable opportunities for education, creativity, and social connection. When used safely, digital technologies can support children’s development and help them build skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
As young people spend more time online, however, the importance of digital safety becomes increasingly clear. Risks such as online grooming, sexting, exposure to harmful material, and sexual extortion can pose serious threats to children and young people. Addressing these risks does not mean limiting access to technology, but ensuring that children are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to navigate the online world safely.
Empowering young people through digital literacy helps build resilience, confidence, and critical thinking. Children are naturally curious and quick to learn, making early education around digital skills particularly effective. Empowerment can take many forms and involves a shared responsibility across families, educators, industry, and wider society.
Education is one of the most powerful tools for building digital resilience. Helping children understand online risks, consent, and responsible online behaviour can reduce harm, including the creation and sharing of self-generated child sexual abuse material, which remains one of the most common forms of CSAM found online.
Access to digital education is essential worldwide. In marginalised and crisis-affected settings, children may face additional risks due to limited access to technology or digital skills. Initiatives such as UNICEF’s Social Innovation Labs in the Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps work directly with young people to strengthen digital skills and support safe participation in the online world. Programmes like these play a vital role in ensuring that all children, regardless of their circumstances, can develop the knowledge and confidence needed to use technology safely and responsibly.
Parents and caregivers play a key role in supporting children’s digital literacy and online safety. Open, age-appropriate conversations can help children feel informed and supported rather than fearful or restricted.
Parents and caregivers can empower children by:
The online world offers children countless opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. While online risks will continue to exist, children should not face them alone. By prioritising digital literacy and working together across families, schools, organisations, and industry, we can empower young people with the skills and tools they need to protect themselves online and make the most of the digital world.
Empowered, informed, and supported young people are better equipped to navigate online challenges and use technology to their advantage.
Safer Internet Day would not be possible without the support of the European Union. Currently, the funding is provided by the Connecting Europe Facility programme (CEF). In the future, actions will be funded through the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). Find out more about the European Commission’s new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+) on the EC website.
