Staying safe online in the digital age

Did you know that almost three quarters of the world’s population uses the internet? According to the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an estimated 6 billion people around the world used the internet in 2025. 

In an increasingly digital, AI-powered world, being able to explore the internet and use digital tools has never been easier, which is why it may be time to revisit and reevaluate what we know about internet safety. 

While it’s common to just think of online safety as a formative part of primary and secondary education (via IT classes and the like), it’s important to note that online safety affects everyone. Being able to understand how the internet works, exploring the potential risks and opportunities, and how best to use it is essential for everyone.

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

What’s happening?

While cyber crime, online abuse and online issues such as misinformation, catfishing and other online scams have been prevalent for over a decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of them, which may be fuelled by, among other things, AI. 

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

From misinformation and phishing to deepfakes, AI has helped to increase forms of digital violence that target a number of people in different ways. One of these ways is gendered. According to UN Women, 38% of women have personal experiences of online violence while 85% of women online have witnessed digital violence against other women. This also includes public figures as 1 in 6 U.S. congresswomen have been reported to appear in nonconsensual deepfake content.

What’s being done?

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

The UK’s Online Safety Act was passed in October 2023, with the law being brought into effect by media regulator Ofcom in 2025. It holds search platforms, websites and social media companies to account to ensure that they limit access to age-inappropriate content, take down illegal content, and are transparent about the type of content users may come across, giving people more control over what they see online. 

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

Alongside these laws, more and more designers, developers and engineers are working with Safety by Design in mind, which puts user safety at the heart of the design and development of the online products and services we use.

By taking preventative measures 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. 

Staying safe online 

The digital landscape as we know it is changing, and so are the ways that we can stay safe online. Effectively navigating these online risks starts with education. From risks to prevention, being aware of digital tools and how they can be used to cause online harm can in some instances help prevent it. 

Cyber security tips for home and work

Whether you’re interested in staying secure online at home, at work or on the go, here are some tips to surf safely online. 

• Limit the personal information you share online.
• Check your privacy settings on any apps you use.
• Get familiar with content settings to control what you see online.
• Use a strong password and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect your online accounts.
• Keep up to date with cyber security training at work.
• Follow work policies, which may include a cyber security policy, acceptable use policy and an information handling policy.
• Keep your devices safe with a PIN/password and a screen lock.
• Update your devices and software regularly.
• Pay attention to the emails, texts and calls you receive and make sure they’re from the right person. If in doubt, don’t make any decisions until you can verify it’s them. 
• Report any suspected cyber attacks to your manager or to a local cyber crime organisation. 
• Always back up your data. 

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

How to use AI responsibly

While AI does pose risks, with a bit of effort, it can be used safely, effectively and ethically. Understanding that it isn’t a replacement for community or expert guidance and that ultimately AI tools are programmed by humans who aren’t free from bias, is essential. 

Just like any other digital tool, verifying and thinking critically about its output, considering your input and not relying solely on one tool can help more people see AI not as a replacement that does all the hard work, but as a tool to streamline processes.

• Be mindful of what you share.
• Review privacy settings.
• Verify any facts, sources and data that you receive.
• Critically review output. 
• Use AI tools transparently and honestly. 

How to improve your digital wellbeing

While the internet can be a positive place that inspires change, delights, connects cultures and brings important issues to light, we’ve also seen how negative online experiences such as troll comments, doxing, or unintentionally viewing sensitive or distressing content can impact mental health. 

Although content warnings are extremely helpful, proactively taking care of your digital wellbeing is also important. Even more so if you work in health and social care, emergency services and law enforcement or as a content moderator, prosecutor, charity worker, forensic practitioner, social media manager, researcher or civil servant, as you may be exposed to distressing content regularly as part of your job. 

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

Helpful online courses for the digital age

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

• AI Ethics, Law, and Policy by National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)
• AI Ethics, Inclusion & Society by the University of Glasgow
• Digital Skills: Artificial Intelligence by Accenture
• Digital Wellbeing by the University of York
• Protecting Wellbeing When Exposed to Distressing Topics or Content by the University of Birmingham
• Digital Skills: Digital Skills for Work and Life by Accenture
• Digital Skills: Embracing Digital Technology by King’s College London
• Safety By Design by RMIT University
• Digital Politics: Digital Activism and Cyber Warfare by Manchester Metropolitan University
• Introduction to Cyber Security by The Open University
• Emerging Technologies: Emerging Cyber Threats and AI by Deakin University
• Cybersecurity for Citizens and Professionals by the University of Padova

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