ySafe | Safer Internet Day 2026

Safer Internet Day 2026 is fast approaching.
Get ready!

On Tuesday 10 February 2026, schools across Australia will mark Safer Internet Day dedicated to building safer, more respectful and more positive online experiences for young people.

This year, Safer Internet Day lands at a pivotal point for school communities. The start of 2026 brings not only a new school year, but a fundamentally changed digital environment for students, following the introduction of Australia’s under-16 social media restrictions.

As students return to classrooms, how they connect, communicate and socialise online looks different to previous years. Safer Internet Day provides a timely opportunity to pause, reset expectations, and support students to make safe, informed choices in this new landscape.

This blog will help you frame the conversation around cyber safety in 2026 and support your school community to foster a positive digital culture from day one.

Why Safer Internet Day matters? 

Safer Internet Day is more than just a single day on the calendar. It’s a global movement that encourages safer, more responsible, and more positive use of online technology, regardless of the platform.

For schools, this message has never been more relevant.

As access to mainstream social media platforms becomes restricted, safety is no longer about monitoring a handful of well-known apps. Instead, it’s about equipping students with the skills, judgement, and confidence to navigate digital spaces that may be harder to see, regulate, or supervise.

In 2026, digital citizenship skills are not optional extras; they are essential.

Staying safe with the 'new migration'

The 2026 social media ban for under-16s hasn't stopped young people from wanting to connect; it has simply changed where and how that connection happens. As students return to school, many will have spent the summer discovering new ways to stay in touch, often moving into spaces with less oversight.

The focus for 2026 is on staying safe during this migration:

• Beyond the "Mainstream" Feed: With platforms like Instagram and TikTok restricted, many students are moving to messaging apps (WhatsApp, Discord) and gaming environments (Roblox, Minecraft). These "private" spaces can make it harder for adults to see what is happening, making peer-to-peer safety skills essential.
• Navigating Workarounds: We know that some students may attempt to use VPNs or "stealth" accounts to bypass age restrictions. Our role is to ensure students know that reporting tools and support still apply, even if they are using a platform they aren't "supposed" to be on.
• Encouraging "Logged-Out" Safety: Many students now consume content via YouTube or TikTok in a logged-out state. While this avoids account restrictions, it also means parental controls and safety filters are often bypassed. Teaching students to "self-filter" content is a priority for 2026.

Practical steps for schools

Safer Internet Day doesn’t need to be complex to be effective. Small, well-timed actions can have a meaningful impact.

1. Start the "Connection" Conversation: Instead of lecturing on what apps are banned, ask: "How are you guys staying in touch now?" or "What’s the vibe in the group chats lately?" Use Safer Internet Day to simply "take the pulse" of where your students are actually hanging out.
2. Empower "Upstander" Behaviour: In private messaging groups and gaming lobbies, there is no "algorithm" to report harmful content. Use a 5-minute check-in to remind students how to block, how to screenshot for evidence, and who their "trusted adult" is at school if a chat goes wrong.
3. A "Light-Touch" Parent Update: You don't need to run a workshop. Simply include a link to the eSafety Commissioner’s "Social Media Age Restrictions Hub" in your school newsletter. Providing parents with the official "conversation starters" allows them to handle the home transition while you focus on the classroom.
4. Normalise the Change: Use your assembly or morning notices to acknowledge that things look different this year. Remind students that while the apps change, the school's expectations for respect and kindness online remain exactly the same.