Each year, UK Safer Internet Day brings schools, families, and education leaders together to reflect on how children and young people experience the online world. In 2026, under the theme “Smart tech, safe choices – exploring safe and responsible use of AI” that reflection feels more urgent, and more complex than ever, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in classroom tools and digital platforms. 

Safer Internet Day is a powerful catalyst for discussion, but it also highlights an important reality: AI safety does not begin and end with a single awareness day. Effective safeguarding in an AI-driven environment must be continuous, responsive, and embedded into everyday school practice. Once the assemblies end and the posters come down, the real question for schools becomes: what happens next? 

“67% of UK teens now use AI – a figure that has almost doubled in two years”  – UNICEF

Why Ongoing AI Safeguarding Matters 

AI technologies are evolving at speed. Tools are regularly updated, retrained, and expanded, often without clear visibility into how those changes affect outputs, data handling, or risk exposure. For schools, this creates a moving target. Safeguarding measures that felt appropriate last year, or even last term, may no longer fully address emerging risks such as misinformation, over-reliance on AI-generated content, or inappropriate material surfacing through new features. 

A static safeguarding approach can quickly create gaps. An adaptive approach, however, supports continuous improvement and aligns closely with expectations around safeguarding culture, leadership oversight, and risk management. 

AI safety, like online safety more broadly, is not a compliance exercise. It is an ongoing process. 

Moving from Awareness to Practical Action 

UK Safer Internet Day plays a vital role in raising awareness, but awareness alone does not reduce risk. To move forward, schools must shift from asking “What is AI?” to more practical, operational questions: 

  • Which AI tools are currently accessible on our school network? 
  • How are pupils actually using them – intentionally or incidentally? 
  • Where might risks be emerging academically, socially, or emotionally? 

This shift from theory to visibility is essential. Schools cannot safeguard what they cannot see, and meaningful action depends on understanding real-world use within the school environment. 

Reviewing AI Tools and Network Access 

One of the most effective actions schools can take after Safer Internet Day is to review which AI platforms are available across their network, particularly as some AI tools have already faced restrictions or bans in certain countries due to safeguarding and regulatory concerns. 

Not all AI tools are designed for education. Some lack age-appropriate safeguards, moderation controls, or transparency around how content is generated. Others may unintentionally expose pupils to biased, misleading, or inappropriate information—highlighting why careful evaluation of emerging AI platforms is essential. 

Smart filtering and access management allow schools to: 

  • Support innovation and digital literacy 
  • While maintaining appropriate boundaries and protections 

The aim is not to ban AI outright, but to enable safe, purposeful use aligned with curriculum goals and safeguarding responsibilities. 

“A new UK survey of 1,000 children and 2,000 parents shows that 64% of children are using AI chatbots for support ranging from homework help to emotional advice and companionship—often without questioning the accuracy or appropriateness of the responses they receive.”  – internetmatters.org 

Strengthening Policies and Staff Confidence 

As technology evolves, school policies must evolve alongside it. Acceptable Use Policies and digital safeguarding frameworks should be treated as living documents, reviewed regularly to reflect new AI capabilities and classroom realities. Clear guidance helps staff feel confident responding to AI-related scenarios, from classroom use to safeguarding concerns. 

Staff training also plays a critical role. Teachers and safeguarding leads do not need to be AI experts, but they do need clarity on: 

  • What responsible AI use looks like in practice 
  • How to recognise potential risks 
  • When and how to escalate concerns 

This approach supports a strong safeguarding culture — one where staff understand their responsibilities and feel supported in acting early. 

Building Student Resilience Through Education 

The UK Safer Internet Centre consistently highlights education as one of the most effective safeguarding tools. In the context of AI, this means helping pupils develop the skills to engage critically and responsibly. 

Schools should support students in learning how to: 

  • Question AI-generated outputs 
  • Recognise bias, inaccuracies, or misleading information 
  • Understand the limitations of AI tools 
  • Seek help when something feels wrong 

These conversations build digital resilience, empowering young people to navigate AI safely both in school and beyond. 

Monitoring, Context, and Human Oversight 

Technology can provide insight, but human judgement remains essential. Monitoring tools help identify emerging risks or patterns of concern, but context matters. A flagged interaction may reflect curiosity, misunderstanding, or a safeguarding issue and trained staff are best placed to interpret that appropriately. 

The strongest safeguarding strategies combine: 

  • Technology for visibility 
  • Skilled staff for interpretation 
  • Clear processes for response 

AI should support safeguarding teams and DSLs – not replace them. 

Safeguarding Beyond the School Gates 

Another key message echoed during UK Safer Internet Day is shared responsibility. AI safety does not stop at the school gate. Engaging parents and carers in ongoing conversations helps reinforce consistent expectations and supports safer use at home. 

Clear communication builds trust and ensures safeguarding remains a collaborative effort between schools, families, and pupils. 

Continuing the Conversation: Listen to the Podcast  

To support schools beyond Safer Internet Day, we recently released a podcast episode focused on responsible AI use in education and what effective safeguarding looks like in practice. 

The discussion explores: 

  • How AI is changing risk profiles in schools 
  • What education leaders should prioritise next 
  • How visibility, policy, and education work together 

As Nick Levey, Regional Director, UK, highlights in the conversation: 

“Most AI interactions in schools happen without clear visibility, and that lack of visibility creates real safeguarding blind spots.” 

Looking Ahead  

AI will continue to shape education in ways we cannot fully predict. That uncertainty makes flexibility, collaboration, and continuous learning essential. UK Safer Internet Day reminds us why online safety matters—but the real impact comes from what schools do next: reviewing access, strengthening policies, supporting staff, and educating pupils throughout the year. 

AI safety is not a one-day conversation; it is an ongoing commitment to safeguarding, responsibility, and care. To support that commitment, schools need practical tools and visibility into online activity.  

Book a demo to see how Netsweeper helps schools confidently manage AI access, protect students, and adapt to emerging risks today and in the future.