Children's Online Safety

The world as we know it is rapidly evolving. Every half second a child makes their first click online and one in three internet users is now under the age of 18. Read from our expert Rebecca Smith on what Netflix’s Adolescence tells us about children’s online safety, the risks to children online and what we can do about it.

As policymakers across the world grapple with how to keep children safe online, a growing number are recommending age-based social media 'bans' as a tool to help keep children safe. While laudable in intent, at Save the Children, we are concerned that laws banning children’s access to online spaces – particularly if used in isolation – risk creating unintended harms, and a false sense of safety, as well as curtailing the opportunities that online environments offer to children. There are better alternatives.

In recent weeks, we have once again seen what happens when powerful AI tools are released at scale with weak safeguards. People use them to sexualise and humiliate others, and children end up dealing with the consequences.

Smart tech must come with safe choices built-in. AI can bring extraordinary benefits, but no innovation is worth a world where children have to live with the fear that any photo could be weaponised against them. 

Safer Internet Day takes place on 10 February. This year, Safer Internet Day focuses on smart tech, safe choices and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  You can use these tips to support responsible AI use and safer online experiences for children and families.

The children’s rights organisation urged policy makers and global leaders to maintain focus on ensuring social media is safe for children as Australia’s ban, a world first, takes effect.

The initiative comes as children increasingly spend a significant portion of their lives online and growing concerns about issues linked to children’s social media use such as depression, anxiety, toxic social comparison and sleep problems as well as concerns about online bullying.