Safer Internet Day 2026: Helpful AI Safety Resources for Parents and Carers

Safer Internet Day 2026 takes place on Tuesday 10 February, with the theme “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.” This theme reflects how artificial intelligence now shapes many aspects of children’s online lives, from personalised recommendations to voice assistants and homework tools.

To support families, we have gathered a collection of trusted UK-specific resources offering practical guidance, conversation ideas, and age-appropriate support.

Official Guidance from the UK Safer Internet Centre

The UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) provides the key resources for Safer Internet Day 2026. Their dedicated hub includes advice on using AI safely, talking to children about new technologies, and supporting responsible digital choices at home.

Practical Advice and Conversation Starters

A parent-friendly information letter is also available. It explains how AI affects the information children see online, how AI may be used during homework, and the potential risks linked with misuse such as scams or manipulated images. It also provides conversation starters to help families approach the topic confidently.
Download the letter

ParentLine – UK’s AI Online Safety Assistant

ParentLine is the UK’s first AI‑powered online safety assistant for parents. It provides clear, practical guidance on online risks, apps, games, social media, AI tools, cyberbullying, privacy settings and more. It uses verified information from the NSPCC, Internet Matters and the UK Safer Internet Centre.

AI Safety Resources Designed for Parents

The London Grid for Learning (LGfL) offers specific materials to help families navigate generative AI. These include an explainer video, a downloadable parent letter, and a ready-made presentation for running parent information sessions.
LGfL resources

NSPCC – AI Safety Tips for Parents

The NSPCC provides trusted, expert‑backed tips on how AI tools work, what risks they pose to children, how to recognise AI‑generated content and how to talk to children about what they’re seeing online.

UNICEF – Guidance on AI and Children

Global guidance focused on children’s rights in the age of AI. Helps parents understand AI risks, child data protection, fairness, transparency and how global changes affect young people.

Why These Resources Matter

AI is increasingly present in children’s everyday digital interactions. Whether through search results, games, online platforms, homework support or social media, children often engage with AI without realising it. Providing families with accurate information and practical tools helps children:

• Recognise when AI is being used
• Think critically about information online
• Understand the limitations and risks of AI
• Make safe and responsible choices

These resources empower parents and carers to guide children confidently and support positive digital experiences.

A National Reset on Mobile Phone Use in Schools

The Department for Education has announced strengthened national guidance on mobile phone use in schools, setting out a clear expectation that all schools should now operate phone‑free environments throughout the entire school day. This update reflects growing concerns about the impact of mobile phones on children’s learning, behaviour, and wellbeing, and aims to provide schools and families with clarity and consistency.

Why this change is being made

School leaders across the country have seen first-hand how technology can affect pupils’ focus, safety, and social interactions. While many schools already have strong policies in place, the Government has recognised that previous guidance did not go far enough in establishing a clear national position.

The strengthened guidance now states that mobile phones should not be used at any point during the school day — including lessons, transitions, breaktimes, and lunchtime. This also means phones should not be used as calculators or for research in lessons.

The aim is to remove ambiguity, support firm and confident leadership, and ensure that parents understand and back the expectations set by schools.

What this means for schools

Schools are expected to have clear, robust mobile phone policies and to apply them consistently across all classes and at all times. To support this, Ofsted will for the first time look at both a school’s mobile phone policy and how effectively it is implemented when assessing behaviour during inspections.

The Department for Education acknowledges that embedding change takes time. Attendance and Behaviour Hub lead schools, all of which already operate successful phone‑free approaches, will be available to support schools that may benefit from additional guidance. These schools have helped develop practical, evidence‑based strategies that can be adapted to different contexts.

Supporting children’s wellbeing beyond the school gates

This announcement forms part of a wider national effort to improve children’s relationship with technology and social media. The Government will soon launch a public consultation on children’s use of technology at home and in the community, inviting families, educators, and professionals to share their insights.

A shared commitment

The Department for Education emphasises that clear, fair, and consistently applied boundaries give pupils the best chance to learn, feel safe, and thrive. Schools are encouraged to feel confident in setting and enforcing these expectations, knowing they have national backing.

As a school community, we will continue to work together to ensure that technology supports our young people’s education and wellbeing - never distracts from it.

Holocaust Memorial Day is a national day that takes place on 27 January. We commemorate the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, and the millions more murdered under Nazi persecution. Prejudice still continues today within our communities and across the UK. We also learn and commemorate where persecution led in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has confirmed that the theme for HMD 2026 is “Bridging Generations”. This theme highlights the vital role each generation plays in carrying forward the memory of the Holocaust and more recent genocides. As survivors grow older, the responsibility to listen, learn, and share their stories becomes a collective act of remembrance and a commitment to building a safer, more compassionate future.

It encourages communities, schools, and organisations to explore how memory is passed on, how stories shape understanding, and how we can all contribute to safeguarding truth against distortion or denial.

It Began with Words – New Holocaust Memorial Day Film

It Began with Words explores how the Holocaust began not with violence, but with words, with stereotypes, prejudice and silence. Through survivor testimony and historical insight, it shows how ordinary people and everyday choices allowed hatred to grow. By understanding how the Holocaust unfolded, we can recognise the warning signs of prejudice today and use our voices to stand against it. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | It Began with Words – New Holocaust Memorial Day Film

Helpful UK Resources

A selection of trusted, accessible UK organisations offering guidance, educational materials, and support for commemorations:

• Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) Official theme guidance, free resources, lesson plans, and activity packs
• Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) Survivor testimony, teacher training, and the renowned Lessons from Auschwitz programme
• National Holocaust Centre & Museum (Nottinghamshire) Exhibitions, survivor talks, and digital learning resources
• Imperial War Museum (IWM) – Holocaust Galleries Extensive historical collections and educational materials
• Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) Testimony archives, heritage projects, and support for survivors and their families

Light the Darkness

Each year people from across the UK take part in our Light the Darkness national moment for Holocaust Memorial Day.

At 8pm on 27 January people across the nation will light candles and put them safely in their windows to:

• remember those who were murdered for who they were
• stand against prejudice and hatred today
• Iconic buildings and landmarks will light up in purple during this powerful national moment of commemoration and solidarity

This February half-term, Vibrant Health Education CIC - a not-for-profit initiative funded through the Greenwich Healthier Communities Fund, with support from Young Greenwich and Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) - will be delivering a free Health-Building Workshop Series for young people aged 13–19 at The Tramshed, Woolwich.

The sessions offer students practical, evidence-based and medically informed tools to support emotional regulation, stress management, healthy habits and cognitive focus. They are designed as an accessible, off-timetable opportunity for students, requiring no staff supervision and forming part of our wider funded wellbeing work across the borough.

The programme is an extension of our school-based initiative and provides a supportive option for students who benefit from applied, accessible - yet not readily available - wellbeing strategies.

Entry is free, with advance sign-up required.  Registration closes on 11 February 2026.

For ease, the registration link is included below should there be any issues accessing the QR code on the leaflet:
Registration Link

Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form Alumni Stories | Meet Saugat

From Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form to Ofcom

Saugat joined Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form in 2022, where he studied Computer Science, Maths, and Further Maths. He chose our Sixth Form because of the learning support available and the wide range of extra-curricular opportunities, including our mentoring programme.

With aspirations to secure an apprenticeship, Saugat received guidance from our dedicated staff on his personal statement and interview preparation. This support helped him land an apprenticeship with Ofcom as a Policy Officer, alongside studying at the University of Kent.

Today, Saugat is thriving in his career as a Weapons Policy Assistant at Ofcom. His journey is a testament to how the right support and opportunities can help students achieve their goals.

Watch now!