Safer Internet Day 2025: Why online safety is more crucial than ever
Explore how Safer Internet Day 2025 is raising awareness of online safety for children, from lessons on cyber security to empowering parents.
With children spending more time online than ever before, Safer Internet Day has become a vital opportunity to address the risks young people face in the digital world.
Celebrated annually on the second Tuesday of February, this year’s event, held today, February 11th, has highlighted everything from cyberbullying and scams to the importance of parental guidance in digital spaces.
The theme for 2025, “Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online”, focuses on equipping young people with the tools to identify and avoid online scams while fostering a safer, more responsible internet environment.
The risks children face online
The digital world has transformed childhood, but it also comes with unique dangers. According to research from CyberSafeKids, 82% of children aged 8–12 have unsupervised access to smart devices in their bedrooms, increasing the risk of exposure to harmful content or interactions with strangers.
Alarmingly, only 35% of children surveyed said their parents could see what they were doing online.
Children’s vulnerability online doesn’t stop at scams. Reports from the United Nations show that over one-third of young people across 30 countries have experienced cyberbullying, while others have been exposed to violent or inappropriate content, hate speech, and even online grooming. The potential consequences range from emotional distress to self-harm.
The Chief Executive of CyberSafeKids, Alex Cooney, emphasises the need for greater parental involvement:
There is too much social pressure for children to be online, often before they are ready. Our Same Rules Apply campaign supports parents in approaching children’s online lives with the same care and supervision they would apply offline.
Educating children to navigate online dangers
Safer Internet Day 2025 sees a new collaboration between schools, charities, and organisations to promote online safety. One standout initiative was a live lesson delivered by Tech She Can in partnership with the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT). Supported by GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre, the lesson reached over 20,000 schoolchildren in the lead-up to SID.
Using animations and interactive Q&A sessions with cybersecurity professionals, children explored topics like biometrics and learned how to keep their information safe online. Dr Kevin Stenson, director at RAFCT, underlined the importance of these initiatives:
While many children are tech-savvy, technology is constantly evolving. Partnerships like this are crucial in reaching and supporting young learners, particularly those without access to tech at home.
The role of parents in online safety
Despite the growing awareness around online safety, the gap between children and parents in understanding digital risks remains significant. CyberSafeKids reports that 42% of 8-12 year olds, and 62% of 12-14 year olds do not talk to their parents about their online activity.
For many parents, the rapid pace of technological change can feel overwhelming, but there are simple steps they can take to protect their children:
- Talk regularly: Discuss the apps and platforms your children use, and ask about their online experiences without judgment.
- Set boundaries: Create clear rules around screen time and device use, particularly in bedrooms or during unsupervised hours.
- Use parental controls: Activate settings to restrict inappropriate content and monitor activity where necessary.
- Stay informed: Learn about emerging risks like scams, phishing, and ransomware to help your children recognise them.
As Alex Cooney points out, online safety is about treating digital spaces with the same care as real-world environments:
It’s not all on parents, however. Big Tech needs to create safer online spaces for children too.
Building a safer digital world
Safer Internet Day also serves as a call to action for tech companies and policymakers. Children are at risk when their data is misused for targeted advertising or when online platforms fail to adequately moderate harmful content. Advocates argue that stronger regulation is needed to ensure safer online spaces for young users.
Parents can also make use of tools like online safety apps—such as Norton Family Premier and Qustodio—which allow for monitoring, time limits, and custom content filters.
The message of Safer Internet Day is clear: creating a safer digital world requires collaboration across schools, families, organisations, and technology providers. By empowering young people with knowledge and equipping parents with the tools they need, we can foster a healthier and more secure digital environment for all.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.