representative image (IANS)
New Delhi: As online safety emerges as a global concern and people, especially the younger generation, become increasingly exposed to digital technologies, India today joins the world in organizing Safer Internet Day (SID) 2026 to raise awareness about safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Safer Internet Day is held around the world on the second Tuesday of February each year to promote safe and responsible use of the Internet, especially among children and young people. This day will focus on emerging online issues and current digital concerns. This year’s SID will be observed on February 10 under the theme ‘Exploring smart technologies, safe choices and the safe and responsible use of AI’.
As part of its awareness efforts, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)’s Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA), an initiative to develop talent in the field of information security and create general awareness about cyber hygiene and cyber security among the general public, is publishing theme-based newsletters focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in India’s digital ecosystem. The newsletter also examines emerging cyber risks arising from the misuse of AI through recent scams and real-life examples, and provides digital citizens with practical guidance on how to use AI safely, responsibly, and informedly, in the spirit of SID 2026.
The ceremony comes ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which the ministry will host from February 15 to 20 in New Delhi. In this context, Safer Internet Day will serve as a pioneering activity at the national level across States, Districts, Block Headquarters, Schools and Universities of States and Union Territories. The main objectives of Safer Internet Day 2026 activities include educating users about the safe and responsible use of the Internet and artificial intelligence, promoting best practices in cyber hygiene, and educating users about key cyber threats and mitigation techniques.
Under the ISEA project, MeitY today proposed to organize a massive pan-India awareness campaign aimed at reaching diverse internet users across the country. The campaign will focus on awareness activities such as workshops and campaigns to educate diverse internet users about safe use of the internet, promote best practices in cyber hygiene, educate users on key cyber threats and mitigation techniques, and encourage responsible use of the internet among the public. Several awareness activities are planned for this day, including a campaign through Internet Service Providers (ISPs), online awareness workshops for government officials, online safety awareness campaign, and public awareness campaign on online safety in Bharat.
The government also proposes to hold Safer Internet Day every year under the auspices of the ISEA project, reinforcing long-term efforts to build a safer and more responsible digital ecosystem in the country.
Contents of the government recommendation:
- Deepfake videos and cloned audio can appear real. Please check with reliable sources before responding.
- Unnatural faces, lips, and voices in videos are red flags for AI manipulation.
- Emotional stories and urgent help requests could be AI-generated scams. Please check before supporting.
- Don’t rely solely on AI for medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a real expert.
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