Safer Internet Day UK is a national campaign led by the UK Safer Internet Centre, promoting the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. This year’s theme, “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI”, focuses on helping young people understand how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts their online lives and how to navigate smart technology safely and confidently.
As online tools and AI become ever more integral to learning, communication and everyday life, prioritising online safety is essential to protect wellbeing, reduce risks and support positive digital experiences for all learners.
National Online School: Built for Safe, Supportive Digital Learning
At National Online School (NOS), online safety is at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s first Department for Education-accredited online SEND school, we understand that digital wellbeing and safeguarding are fundamental to student success.
We support online safety through education, helping students develop awareness and healthy boundaries around online activity. Online safety is embedded into our LIFE curriculum, supporting students to understand the impact of social media and screen time on their wellbeing.
Currently, our LIFE curriculum focuses on Health and Wellbeing. For example, our Year 10 LIFE topic explores screen time, helping students recognise potential risks and reflect on their own digital habits, including early signs of screen-time dependency. This learning covers not only the risks posed by strangers online, but also the impact screen time can have on behaviour and health.
Students are supported with practical tools to regulate screen time, set boundaries, apply restrictions and recognise online threats. We also deliver awareness assemblies, such as our ‘Level Up’ assembly, which helps students identify the risks of interacting with strangers while gaming online.
We recognise that online activity can also bring positive opportunities, including collaboration and skill development. However, safety remains the priority. These messages are reinforced through age-appropriate LIFE lessons, helping prepare our students for the future with the awareness, boundaries and healthy digital tools they need.
Alongside teaching it within lessons we also support safe online engagement through:
- Safeguarding-focused devices: Student laptops use advanced filtering, limiting access to approved educational platforms only.
- Dedicated safeguarding team: Trained safeguarding leads monitor and respond to online safety concerns.
- Ongoing staff training: Regular training ensures staff stay up to date with emerging digital risks.
- Continual system review: Safeguarding systems are regularly reviewed to meet the highest protection standards.
Together, these measures support student wellbeing, build parental confidence and enable safe, positive online learning every day.
Why Online Safety Matters Now More Than Ever
Young people are spending increasing amounts of time online for education, communication and social connection. While this brings many opportunities, it also introduces risks that can affect mental wellbeing and safety if not properly understood and managed.Safer Internet Day encourages schools, families and communities to come together to explore important topics like AI safety, privacy, digital wellbeing and how to make responsible decisions in a connected world.
We embrace this mission, helping students to develop the confidence, skills and awareness they need to use digital technology safely, responsibly and positively.
Learn more about our approach to safeguarding on the National Online School Safeguarding Page
