As one of the three partners of the UK Safer Internet Centre, alongside Childnet and Internet Watch Foundation, we’ve seen first-hand how this year's Safer Internet Day inspired action, sparked vital conversations, and gave young people, parents, carers, and educators across the UK the tools to navigate the online world more safely.
A Record Year for Reach and Engagement
Safer Internet Day 2025 saw a record-breaking 57% of children and young people aged 8-17 in the UK hearing about the day. As well as this, 50% of parents and carers were also aware of the day, (an increase of nearly 20% from last year)signalling a growing nationwide conversation around how to stay safe online.
This year’s theme, "Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online’’ was a timely and relevant topic for the current landscape. With the proliferation of online scams targeting both young and vulnerable users, the theme provided a timely and much-needed focus for critical conversations and learning around how to stay protected.
What Does the Data Show?
We were thrilled to see incredible levels of participation and support:
- Over 160,000 downloads of the education materials
- The hashtag #SaferInternetDay trending at No.1 throughout the day on X
- 1,726 schools and organisations across the UK registering as official supporters
These numbers not only reflect the scale of the campaign but also show how deep the appetite is for guidance, support, and collaboration around online safety.
Real-World Impact on Young People and Families
Beyond the statistics, what truly matters is the tangible difference Safer Internet Day made in people’s lives. The results of our impact report are a powerful reminder of why Safer Internet Day is so important:
- 76% of young people said they felt more confident knowing what to do if something online worried them
- 57% talked to their parent or carer about staying safe online
- 43% spoke to someone about online scams
- 28% opened up about experiences they had never previously shared
Equally encouraging was the feedback from parents and carers:
- 71% felt better prepared to keep their child safe online
- 73% are now more aware of the impact online scams could have on their child
- 77% discussed safe internet use with their children
These findings illustrate the ripple effect that Safer Internet Day can have, not just raising awareness, but fostering meaningful conversations that protect and empower.
A Critical Role in Schools
It was especially great to see the role schools played this year. Over 1,400 registered their support, and educators shared encouraging feedback:
- 96% agreed Safer Internet Day encouraged dialogue between staff and students
- 87% said it plays a significant role in their online safety provision
- 58% said it led to safeguarding concerns being identified and raised
Looking Ahead to Safer Internet Day 2026
As we look ahead, we want to build on this momentum. We’re calling on partners, educators, policymakers, and supporters to help us make Safer Internet Day 2026 even more impactful.
If you're interested in getting involved or exploring partnership opportunities, please reach out to our colleagues at Childnet via will@childnet.com. Help us to ensure that Safer Internet Day continues to be a catalyst for change and support in the digital lives of children and families across the UK.
