“This year Safer Internet Day arrives at a particularly poignant moment in time for our children and young people. This year’s theme highlights both the promise and the danger of rapidly developing technologies, especially AI. While AI can support creativity, discovery and connection for children, it is also being misused in deeply harmful ways. Children themselves have raised serious concerns about how this technology normalises and enables distressing, abusive behaviour, and the potential harm will only grow if we do not act now.

It’s never been more vital for children to have safe spaces, open conversations and trusted adults they can turn to when something online makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. But responsibility cannot rest on families alone. The government has committed to banning nudification apps, which are inherently abusive and overwhelmingly target girls, but they must act quickly. We need to see enforceable measures in place to make sure children are protected from AI enabled sexual harm.

Safer Internet Day is a powerful reminder that making sure children are safe online is a shared responsibility. By working together, families, decision makers and tech companies can create an online world where children are empowered, protected, and free to explore safely.”