Stay safe online in the digital age

Did you know that nearly three-quarters of the world’s population uses the Internet? According to the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 6 billion people worldwide are expected to use the Internet by 2025.

In an increasingly digital, AI-driven world, exploring the internet and using digital tools has never been easier, which is why now may be the time to revisit and reevaluate what we know about internet security.

While people often think of online safety as an integral part of primary and secondary education (through IT courses etc.), it’s important to note that online safety affects everyone. Being able to understand how the Internet works, explore potential risks and opportunities, and how to best use it is critical for everyone.

As the way we use the internet and our relationship with digital spaces changes, our best practices should change too. That’s why awareness days like Safer Internet Day aim to raise awareness of issues such as cyberbullying, digital identity, internet safety and more, and ensure adults, young people and children have the right tools and resources to protect themselves and each other online.

What happened?

While online problems such as cybercrime, online abuse, and misinformation, phishing, and other online scams have been prevalent for more than a decade, the number of such problems has been steadily increasing, likely driven by factors such as artificial intelligence.

Ofcom reports that 14.6 million UK adults accessed ChatGPT in September 2025 alone, so while generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Midjourney are steadily increasing their user base, providing exciting opportunities to create and inform, there are risks.

From misinformation and phishing to deepfakes, AI has helped increase forms of digital violence that target many people in different ways. One way is through gendering. According to UN Women, 38% of women have personally experienced online violence, while 85% have witnessed digital violence against other women online. This also includes public figures, with one in six U.S. congresswomen reportedly featured in non-consensual deepfake content.

What are you doing?

About 66% of adults say they have encountered potentially harmful content online, and 48% want more online safety measures to be taken, so what exactly is being done around the world to improve internet safety?

The UK’s Online Safety Bill was passed in October 2023 and will come into effect in 2025 by media regulator Ofcom. The bill would hold search platforms, websites and social media companies accountable to ensure they restrict access to age-inappropriate content, remove illegal content and be transparent about the types of content users may encounter, giving people more control over what they see online.

Similar to the UK, Australia’s Online Safety Act, Mexico’s Olympia Law and the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) are just some of the laws around the world that work to protect people from harm online.

In addition to these laws, more and more designers, developers, and engineers are considering “security by design,” which puts user safety at the heart of the design and development of the online products and services we use.

By taking precautions to limit online harm, designing digital products and platforms for all types of users, and promoting safe internet use, users will feel empowered to make safer choices online and take control of their online experiences.

Stay safe online

The digital landscape as we know it is changing, and so is the way we stay safe online. Effectively addressing these online risks starts with education. From risk to prevention, understanding digital tools and how they can be used to cause cyber harm can help prevent it in some cases.

Cybersecurity tips for home and work

Whether you want to stay safe online at home, at work, or on the go, here are some tips for surfing safely online.

• Limit the personal information you share online.
• Check the privacy settings of any apps you use.
• Familiarize yourself with content settings to control what you see online.
• Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect your online accounts.
• Stay up to date on cybersecurity training at work.
• Follow work policies, which may include cybersecurity policies, acceptable use policies and information handling policies.
• Keep your device secure with PIN/password and screen lock.
• Update your equipment and software regularly.
• Pay attention to the emails, text messages and phone calls you receive and make sure they are from the right people. If in doubt, don’t make any decisions until you know it’s them.
• Report any suspected cyber attacks to your manager or local cyber crime group.
• Always back up your data.

For parents, carers and guardians, the UK Safe Internet Center (UKSIC) has helpful tips to help your family stay safe online.

How to use artificial intelligence responsibly

While AI does pose risks, with a little effort, it can be used safely, effectively, and ethically. Understanding that it does not replace community or expert guidance, and that AI tools are ultimately programmed by unbiased humans, is critical.

Just like any other digital tool, validating and thinking critically about its output, considering your input rather than relying solely on one tool, can help more people see AI as a tool that streamlines processes rather than a replacement that does all the hard work.

• Be careful about what you share.
• View privacy settings.
• Verify any facts, sources and data you receive.
• Scrutinize output.
• Use AI tools transparently and honestly.

How to improve your digital health

While the internet can be a positive place that inspires change, brings joy, connects cultures and shines light on important issues, we also see how negative online experiences such as troll comments, doxxing or inadvertently viewing sensitive or distressing content can impact mental health.

While content warnings are very helpful, it’s also important to be proactive about your digital well-being. This is especially true if you work in health and social care, emergency services and law enforcement, or as a content moderator, prosecutor, charity worker, forensic examiner, social media manager, researcher or civil servant, as you may be regularly exposed to distressing content as part of your job.

Building your own digital wellness toolkit (see here to learn how), spending time offline and in supportive online communities, and feeling empowered to speak up, report incidents, and curate your online space can all work together to improve your digital wellness and help mitigate some of the negative effects of being exposed to negative content online.

Useful online courses for the digital age

The internet is far from perfect, but we’ve got plenty of flexible, expert-led courses to help you make the most of your time online, safely and at a pace that suits you.

• Artificial Intelligence Ethics, Law and Policy at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)
• Artificial Intelligence Ethics, Inclusion and Society at the University of Glasgow
• Digital skills: Accenture Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Health at York University
• University of Birmingham protects health when exposed to distressing topics or content
• Digital skills: Digital skills for work and life at Accenture
• Digital Skills: Embracing Digital Technologies King’s College London
• Safe design at RMIT University
• Digital Politics: Digital Activism and Cyber ​​Warfare Manchester Metropolitan University
• An introduction to cyber security from the Open University
• Emerging Technologies: Emerging Cyber ​​Threats and Artificial Intelligence, Deakin University
• Cybersecurity for citizens and professionals at the University of Padua