The internet has become part of children’s and teens’ everyday lives at increasingly younger ages. Online, they learn, play, communicate, and create, using digital tools that evolve at a rapid pace. In this context, children’s online safety has become a key component of digital education. In 2026, three elements stand out for their impact on minors’ digital experiences: artificial intelligence, online video games, and social media.
These technologies offer significant opportunities for learning, creativity, and the development of digital skills, but they also present new challenges related to privacy, information management, and interaction with others in digital environments. On the occasion of Safer Internet Day, it is especially important to reflect on how we can guide children and young people so they learn to use the internet in a safe, responsible, and informed way.
Artificial Intelligence and Critical Thinking from an Early Age
Artificial intelligence is increasingly present in minors’ daily lives. Search engines, educational apps, virtual assistants, and content creation tools rely on AI systems that interact directly with users. For children, these technologies may appear reliable and objective, when in reality they operate based on data, algorithms, and criteria they do not always understand.
One of the main online safety challenges related to artificial intelligence is the uncritical use of the information it generates. Minors may assume that a response is correct simply because it comes from a technological tool, without questioning its accuracy or verifying it against other sources. In addition, the use of platforms that request personal data raises important issues around privacy and data protection.
From a technology education perspective, artificial intelligence also represents an opportunity to develop key skills such as critical thinking, information verification, and understanding how digital tools work. Recognizing that technology has limitations and does not replace human judgment is essential for using the internet safely and responsibly.
Online Video Games as Digital Learning Spaces
Online video games are among the most common digital environments for children and teens. Beyond their entertainment value, they have become social spaces where users interact with others, collaborate, compete, and build relationships. This social dimension gives video games a direct impact on digital education and children’s online safety.
Chat features, interactions with strangers, in-game purchases, and exposure to disrespectful behavior are some of the risks associated with these environments. However, video games can also be a valuable educational tool when used with guidance and discernment. They provide opportunities to develop time management skills, respect for rules, communication in digital settings, and responsible decision-making.
From an educational standpoint, the goal is not to prohibit video games, but to help minors understand how these spaces function and to develop safe, balanced usage habits.
Social Media and the Construction of Digital Identity
Access to social media is happening at increasingly younger ages, making it essential to educate children about managing their digital identity. Many children and teens are not fully aware that every post, image, or comment leaves a digital footprint that may remain online long term.
Online safety on social media is closely linked to privacy, personal data protection, and the ability to critically analyze the content that is consumed and shared. In an environment where misinformation and manipulated content—including AI-generated material—are becoming more frequent, it is crucial to teach young people how to distinguish reliable information from what is not.
Educating for responsible social media use involves encouraging reflection before posting, promoting respect for others, and reinforcing the understanding that the internet is not separate from the norms of everyday social conduct.
Education as the Foundation of Children’s Online Safety
Online safety is not based solely on technical controls or restrictions, but on solid digital education that enables children and young people to understand the technological environment in which they operate. In this regard, learning programming and computational thinking plays a fundamental role.
Learning to code helps students understand the logic behind the applications, games, and digital platforms they use every day. This knowledge fosters a more informed relationship with technology and helps shape active, critical, and responsible users. At Codelearn, we work to ensure that technology education is always accompanied by values such as safety, digital ethics, and responsible internet use.
A Shared Commitment to a Safer Internet
Artificial intelligence, online video games, and social media will continue to evolve, and so will the challenges related to children’s online safety. Guiding minors through this process is a shared responsibility among families, schools, and society as a whole.
Safer Internet Day 2026 is an opportunity to strengthen this commitment and continue promoting digital education that enables children and young people to harness the full potential of technology in a safe, creative, and responsible way.