Safer Internet Day promotes a safer and more responsible use of online technology by children and young people around the world.
Over the years, Safer Internet Day (SID) has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. It started in 2004 under the first safer internet action plan, as an initiative of the EU-funded SafeBorders project. It was then taken up by Insafe, the network of Safer Internet Centres. Now, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is celebrated in around 200 countries and territories across all continents, and reaches millions of people worldwide.
Each year SID calls for action from the many players involved in providing a safer and better digital environment for young users, including:
- decision makers at EU, national and international levels
- industry representatives
- civil society organisations
- educators and parents
- young people themselves
The internet is a powerful tool with enormous opportunities for learning, enhancing skills and acquiring new abilities and knowledge. However, with opportunities come risks. SID aims to raise awareness, but also take concrete steps to protect and empower children and young people online. In the digital realm, collaboration is essential for a better online experience, particularly for younger users.
‘Together for a better internet’
In 2024, the Safer Internet Day was celebrated on Tuesday 6 February. In his video address, Commissioner Breton welcomed the first changes brought by the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission wants to keep children and young people safe and empowered online. The best way to raise awareness is by bringing the DSA closer to students. The DSA School Guardians initiative was launched and a booklet explaining the DSA measures to protect minors online has been published in all EU languages. The Commission has also made new resources available via the Better Internet for Kids portal for children to stay safe and empowered in virtual worlds.
Message by Thierry Breton, European Commissioner, on the occasion of Safer Internet Day
Previous editions
In 2023, which was also the European Year of Skills, Safer Internet Day celebrations took place on 7 February, under the familiar slogan ‘Together for a better internet’. The Commission marked the day by making the child-friendly Better Internet for Kids Strategy available in all EU languages and beyond, including Ukrainian. We also published a child-friendly version of the Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles, alongside a video game on the principles. Vice-President Šuica and Commissioner Breton both recorded video messages celebrating 20 editions of Safer Internet Day.
For Safer Internet Day 2022, the Commission held a live Twitter Spaces event on how the EU is helping young people feel safer online through legislation and awareness raising. We published a series of videos with Better Internet for Kids (BIK) Youth Ambassadors and Youth panelists from different corners of Europe talking about their priorities online, the importance of digital skills and their vision for better online experiences in the future.
In 2021, the outcome of the Youth Pledge launched on SID 2020 was presented, followed by a round table discussion on the way forward for a more trustworthy digital transformation.
For SID 2020 the European Commission organised an expert workshop to explore the potential of artificial intelligence in fight against online child sexual abuse material and hosted a launch of the Youth Pledge, a youth-led co-creation process with industry partners.
SID 2019 was one of the milestones of the #SaferInternet4EU campaign, which had reached over 30 million people in 2018 with over 1800 new resources on online safety, media literacy and cyber hygiene.
The 2018 theme, ’Create, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you’ highlighted every user’s responsibility and role in engaging with others in a respectful way online. The #SaferInternet4EU campaign was launched.
The slogan of 2017, ’Be the change: Unite for a better internet‘, emphasized the importance of collaboration and unity. The industry Alliance to better protect minors online was established.
Safer Internet Day 2016 encouraged each of us to play our own part – in other words taking the responsibility in our own hands.
The Safer Internet Day 2015 promoted the collaborative approach of all stakeholders – ‘Let's create better Internet together’
More information
To discover resources on online safety and more information about the network of European Safer Internet Centres visit the Better Internet for Kids website.
To find out what is happening in your country check the Safer Internet Day website.
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Big Picture
The Strategy for a better Internet for kids (BIK+) will ensure that children are protected, respected and empowered online.
See Also
As a key action under the BIK+ strategy, the Commission will facilitate a comprehensive EU Code of conduct on age-appropriate design (‘BIK+ Code’).
The Safer Internet Forum is the key annual international conference on child online safety in Europe.
Digital participation, empowerment and protection finely balanced in the new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+).
Self-regulation was one of the instruments of the European strategy to create a better Internet for children.
The expert group on safer Internet for children helps improve coordination and cooperation among EU Member States to keep children safe when using the internet.
Safer Internet Centres inform, advise and assist children, parents, teachers and carers on digital questions and fights against online child sexual abuse.