Safer Internet Day Discussion Guide

What Is Safer Internet Day?

Every February, people around the world come together to celebrate Safer Internet Day. The goal is to promote a safer, better internet, one where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. It’s not just about avoiding harm; it’s about understanding how the internet shapes our lives and recognizing our shared responsibility in shaping it for good.

ConnectSafely, a California-based nonprofit, serves as the U.S. coordinator for Safer Internet Day. To mark the day, ConnectSafely is hosting a live event in Sacramento on February 10, in partnership with National PTA and Children Now. View the event agenda here.

Youth Voices Matter

Young people are among the most active users of technology, which makes their experiences and perspectives essential to conversations about online safety and digital life. Yet policies and platforms are often designed for young people, not with them. One of the core ideas you’ll hear at this event is that lived experience is expertise.

Young people:

  • Understand how platforms are actually used
  • Spot problems adults may miss
  • Experience the emotional and social impacts of tech firsthand

Young people deserve not just protection online, but a meaningful voice in shaping the digital world they live in.

We Want to Hear From You

Event guests include young people, policymakers, tech industry leaders, consumer advocates and educators. We hope you’ll speak up and ask questions during audience Q&A, and engage during activities where you and your tablemates work together on real-world issues.

There’s no single “right” way to participate. You can ask a question, share an example from your own experience, build on someone else’s idea, or listen and reflect. Curiosity, honesty and respect matter more than having the “perfect” answer.

Core Concepts You’ll Hear About at the Event

Online Safety vs. Online Freedom: The internet can be amazing, but it can also expose people to harm. A safer internet doesn’t mean shutting things down. It means giving people the tools, understanding, and control to make smart choices while protecting their rights and freedom of expression.

Effective Policy, Not Just Good Intentions: “Good policy” doesn’t just sound good; it’s crafted with evidence, clear goals and real-world testing. Policymakers should listen to youth because data alone isn’t enough, and research can be flawed. Lived experience matters in understanding what issues are urgent and how solutions work on the ground.

Risks & Opportunities of Generative AI: Generative AI tools are increasingly part of everyday life, but they raise questions about:

  • Bias and fairness: Can the tool misrepresent or stereotype people?
  • Accuracy: How do we trust what the AI generates?
  • Safety: Could AI be misused to create harmful content?

Discussion Prompts

  • Where do you think the line should be between online safety and online freedom?
  • When adults and institutions make decisions about technology, what do you think they misunderstand most about young people’s online experiences?

For the following issues, using both your experience and the evidence from the resources below, respond to the discussion prompts above.