Happy Safer Internet Day! ๐
Today, educators in over 160 countries are coming together to explore a vital question: What are some ways we can support our learners as they make choices in a world shaped by AI?
A Legacy of Safety
Unfamiliar with the roots of today? Safer Internet Day began as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and was taken up by the Insafe network in 2005. It has since grown into a landmark event on the global educational calendar, and Google is proud to be a core partner in this effort to raise awareness of emerging online concerns.
This year's global theme, "Smart tech, safe choices," invites us to move beyond simply "monitoring" and toward cultivating AI Literacy. I'm curious to hear how your community is helping students understand not just what AI can do, but how to use it ethically.
Exploring New Boundaries with Confidence
In light of the 2026 updates, Iโve been reflecting on a few paths we could take to help students navigate their digital lives:
- Verifying Our World: Imagine the impact of using the SynthID watermarking tools to help students practice distinguishing between captured and generated media.
- Integrity as a Habit: In what ways do you see the Gemini Writing Coach helping students view AI as a supportive "tutor" rather than a shortcut?
- Building Foundational Literacy: What would it look like to use the updated Be Internet Awesome AI Literacy Guide to help our primary learners understand how algorithms work behind the scenes?
Discussion: In your specific context, how is your school celebrating Safer Internet Day today? Are you hosting a "media lab" exploration, or perhaps walking through Interlandโs Reality River? We'd love to hear your ideas in the thread below!
