Safer Internet Day 2026
Safer Internet Day will take place on Tuesday, 10th February 2026. The celebrations will be based around the theme, AI Aware: Safe, Smart and in Control” Generative AI technology is part of many of the tools and platforms children and young people use every day, from social media to search engines. While these technologies offer exciting benefits, they also introduce complex risks that challenge existing online safety frameworks. This Safer Internet Day we’re encouraging children and young people to be AI Aware: Safe, Smart, and in Control. The aim is to empower children with the skills and knowledge to safely and responsibly navigate AI. The campaign will highlight the practical guidance and resources available to schools and parents to support children to build these skills.
Everyone has a role to play in creating a safer internet. Schools, parents, and young people can access a wide range of free resources and activity ideas to get involved, including free SID2026 AI Aware: Safe, Smart and in Control lessons for primary and post-primary, as well as a new parent-supports such as ‘A Parent’s Guide to Generative AI’. Visit the Webwise Safer Internet Day Hub.
Safer Internet Day in Ireland is coordinated by the Irish Safer Internet Centre, a partnership between Webwise, ISPCC, National Parents Council, and Irish Internet Hotline, providing a range of complementary online safety services, including an education and awareness centre, child and parent helplines and a hotline. The Centre is coordinated by the Department of Justice and co-funded by the European Union.
What is happening for Safer Internet Day in Ireland?
Safer Internet Day Event: AI Aware – Safe, Smart and in Control
Hosted in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the 2026 Safer Internet Day event brings together key stakeholders to explore ways to help children and young people be safe and responsible in a complex world increasingly shaped by AI tools and digital technology. Discussions will focus on ways to safeguard children online, reflect on the current state of play of GenAI, and finally to empower children and young people to thrive in the digital world through active participation and education.
Taking place on February 10th and hosted by Gavan Reilly (Virgin Media), there will be keynote address from Dr Mhairi Aitken; Senior Ethics Fellow at The Alan Turing Institute (the UK’s national institute for AI and data science). There will also be contributions from Online Safety Commissioner; Niamh Hodnett (Coimisiún na Meán), Professor Sonia Livingstone – London School of Economics and Political Science, Dr Claudette Pretorius, Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin (UCD), Dr Mark Smyth; Senior Clinical Psychologist with Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service, Róisín Ingle (Parent and Journalist), Dr. Barry Scannell – Partner, William Fry LLP, Anthony Kilcoyne (Oide Technology in Education) and members of the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel.
Agenda
11.00am: Welcome
11.10am: AI Aware: Safe, Smart and in Control – Introduction from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel
11.30am: Keynote: Dr Mhairi Aitken; Senior Ethics Fellow at The Alan Turing Institute
12.05pm: Gen AI – A Reality Check – Guest Panel Discussion: Dr Claudette Pretorius, Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin (UCD), Dr Mark Smyth; Senior Clinical Psychologist with Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service, Róisín Ingle (Parent and Journalist), Member of the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel.
12.40pm: Safe, Smart and In Control: The Path Forward – Professor Sonia Livingstone
12.50pm: Safe, Smart and In Control: The Path Forward – Guest Panel Discussion: Niamh Hodnett (Online Safety Commissioner; Coimisiún na Meán), Professor Sonia Livingstone; London School of Economics (pre-recorded), Dr. Barry Scannell Partner, William Fry LLP, Anthony Kilcoyne (Oide Technology in Education), Member of the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel.
1.20pm: Closing remarks and wrap up
1.30pm: Lunch and refreshments
Please note registration is now closed.
How to Get Involved in Safer Internet Day
Register as a Safer Internet Day Supporter!
Join hundreds of schools and organisations across Ireland who have registered their support for Safer Internet Day. By signing up you’ll appear on the interactive SID events map celebrating all the brilliant activities taking place across the country!
Use the New Safer Internet Day Lessons
New lessons, available for both primary and post-primary schools, focus on emerging technologies including Generative AI and Chatbots. Students will learn about Generative AI, its benefits, risks, and safe, responsible use. These new resources were developed in collaboration with Dublin City University. Schools can also explore a range of other online safety topics through scripted presentations, specifically designed to support students taking part in Safer Internet Day:
https://www.webwise.ie/saferinternetday/sid-presentations/
Highlight Advice and Resources for Parents
Encourage parents and carers to visit the Webwise Parents Hub for trusted advice and information. Webwise will also publish A Parent’s Guide to Generative AI in February, supporting families to navigate AI safely and confidently.
Visit the Safer Internet Day Hub
Learn more about the Safer Internet Day Stakeholder Event, the SID Ambassador Youth Training Programme and lots of resources and ideas by visiting the Webwise Safer Internet Day Hub
Help spread the word!
Download our Safer Internet Day Social Media Supporters Pack, which includes key messages and ready-to-use assets that you can easily share with your own audiences.
Free Safer Internet Day Wristbands for Schools
Thousands of children and young people in schools across Ireland will be getting involved in Safer Internet Day! Lessons, workshops, and competitions are just some of the activities that will be taking place. If you are planning to take part in #SID2026 share your plans and put your school or organisation on the map and get free wristbands.
