Safer Internet Day: supporting teachers in promoting digital wellbeing

What is Safer Internet Day (SID)?

Safer Internet Day is a global initiative celebrated every February to promote a safer and more responsible online environment for children and young people. A flagship initiative of the European Commission, supported by the Insafe and INHOPE networks in Europe, SID brings together schools, parents, policymakers and organisations worldwide. 

Celebrated in over 160 countries, the day raises awareness about key online issues, including cyberbullying, digital wellbeing, privacy, artificial intelligence, age-appropriate experiences and respectful communication. 

How to support digital safety in schools

Discover three ways teachers and educators can promote digital wellbeing and safer online lives.

1 – Integrate digital safety into the classroom

Use SID as a starting point to incorporate digital wellbeing issues into everyday lessons. Discuss topics such as cyberbullying, safe social media use, protecting personal information and maintaining healthy screen time habits. Resources from the Better Internet for Kids learning cornerprovide ready-to-use lesson plans, webinars and guidance to make these conversations practical and engaging for pupils. 

2 – Explain how online platforms protect children (DSA guidelines)

Introduce pupils to the new Digital Services Act (DSA) guidelines, which require online platforms to protect children. Educators can use the DSA for YOUth toolkit and a family-friendly booklet(available in all EU languages), as well as a webinar, to explain how platforms handle harmful content, privacy and reporting, helping pupils understand their rights online.

3 – Connect with global SID activities

Engage your pupils by exploring what’s happening for Safer Internet Day in your country. The SID interactive map links to country pages featuring local and international activities, workshops, campaigns and youth-led projects. This shows pupils the global scale of online safety initiativesand inspires them to take part in their own classroom or school events. 

And if you’re based in Europe, why not connect with your national Safer Internet Centre to see what support they can offer you as an educator, not just on SID but all year round?

What the EU is doing to address cyberbullying

Combating the growing trend of abusive and harmful behaviour online requires a coordinated, cross-border approach. The forthcoming EU action plan against cyberbullying will support a coordinated response to cyberbullying, leveraging existing regulatory frameworks such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), to ensure a high level of safety and protection for minors across the entire EU. 

Safer Internet Day is an opportunity for educators to lead by example, creating safe, inclusive and supportive digital environments.  

Discover more on Safer Internet Day and stay up to date via its social media profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook and X, or by following the hashtag #SIF2026. 

Safer Internet Day is supported by the European Commission, with funding provided by the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). Find out more about the European Commission’s strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+).