Safer Internet Day In India 2026: Theme, History and Internet Safety Tips
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Safer Internet Day highlights online safety, responsible AI use and practical tips to protect users from cyber threats.
Safer Internet Day is observed on the second Tuesday of February.
Safer Internet Day is observed globally on the second Tuesday of February, which falls on February 10 in 2026. In today’s digital-first world, the internet has become a daily necessity, but its growing risks make awareness and responsible usage more important than ever.
From harmful online challenges and unsafe gaming habits to rising cases of cyber fraud and exposure to inappropriate content, the dangers of the digital space are real. Recent incidents involving teenagers allegedly influenced by online gaming have once again highlighted how vulnerable young minds can be to unsafe online behaviour.
While completely disconnecting from the internet is neither practical nor possible, promoting safer and more mindful usage is essential. Safer Internet Day aims to do exactly that – encourage users to stay informed, alert and responsible online.
Safer Internet Day 2026: History
Safer Internet Day began in 2004 as an initiative under the EU SafeBorders project and was later adopted by the Insafe network in 2005. Over the years, it has grown far beyond its European roots and is now observed in more than 160 countries and territories across the world.
Each year, Safer Internet Day focuses on highlighting the online issues that matter most at the moment, from cyberbullying and social media safety to concerns around digital identity and online behaviour.
In times like these, when the internet can cost people their hard-earned money through digital scams or push vulnerable minds toward dangerous choices in the name of online gaming, a day like Safer Internet Day deserves far more attention in India.
Safer Internet Day 2026 India: Theme
This year’s theme is “Smart Tech, Safe Choices: Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI.” In the same context, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will be organising the India AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 15 to 20 in New Delhi.
Given the growing role of technology in everyday life, the theme focuses on encouraging the safe and responsible use of the internet and artificial intelligence, promoting cyber hygiene, and educating users about cyber threats and ways to prevent them.
Adding to these efforts, the Information Security Education and Awareness project will also be conducting a large-scale awareness campaign on Safer Internet Day. The initiative will include activities such as workshops and public awareness drives aimed at helping people navigate the digital world more safely.
Dos And Don’ts For Online Safety
Sharing Of Personal Information Is A Big No-No
Some websites do ask for personal information, and that’s okay up to a point. But when it starts to feel suspicious and too much confidential information is being requested, it becomes a problem. OTPs, especially, should never be shared. Beyond that, hackers can piece together small bits of information to breach your account. That’s why it’s important to check everything carefully before sharing any details.
Don’t Download Items From Suspicious Sites
Downloading free content can be tempting, but remember that such things often come with serious risks, such as malware, Trojan horses, or even spyware. So stay alert and don’t just blindly trust every website. Also, don’t open attachments that may look suspicious.
Secure Internet Connection Is A Must
You should always ensure that you are using a secure internet connection. This helps protect your network from unauthorised users and hackers. It’s also important to note that public Wi-Fi networks can be risky because they are not as secure.
Use Strong Passwords
Hackers use powerful tools that can break weak passwords in seconds. It may sound obvious, but the stronger your password is, the harder it is to crack. In fact, as per Malwarebytes, experts say that a long password, around 12 characters, with a mix of uppercase letters, numbers and symbols could take current technology thousands of years to break.
February 10, 2026, 07:35 IST
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