By Alice Chambers |
Stakeholders around the world are marking Safer Internet Day today with a renewed focus on protecting children and young people online. For Microsoft and its partners, the message is clear: as digital risks evolve, so too must the safeguards, education and collaboration designed to keep young people safe.
This year is a milestone for Microsoft, marking the tenth year of its annual Global Online Safety Survey, which gathers the views of teens and adults worldwide about their online experiences.
The latest findings show that while the internet remains a vital space for connection and learning, risks are rising. Sixty-four per cent of teens surveyed said they were exposed to at least one online risk in the past year. Hate speech was the most commonly reported issue, affecting 35 per cent of respondents, followed by online scams and fraud (29 per cent) and cyberbullying (23 per cent).
At the same time, the research highlights young people’s resilience. Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of teens said they spoke to someone after experiencing an online risk and reporting behaviour has increased for the second consecutive year. The data suggests that awareness campaigns, school programmes and family conversations are helping young people feel more confident about seeking support.
AI is emerging as a major area of concern, with 91 per cent of global respondents saying they are worried about the risks associated with the technology. Fears range from online sexual abuse and increasingly sophisticated scams to hallucinations, where AI systems generate inaccurate or misleading information.
“Looking ahead, we know we need to continue to build strong guardrails to tackle acute risks and to leverage our experience while being informed by new research, new perspectives and new technologies,” said Courtney Gregoire – chief digital strategy officer at Microsoft, in a blog post titled ‘Building a safer digital future, together’.
As part of that effort, Microsoft has just closed applications for its first AI Futures Youth Council, which will bring together teenagers from across the United States and Europe. The group will provide direct feedback on how they want emerging technologies to shape their lives and how companies can better support their safety.
Partnerships are also central to Microsoft’s approach. “Faced with increasingly complex digital practices, supporting young people and families, combining prevention, education and cooperation, has become a key driver of online safety,” said Gregoire.
In France, Microsoft has partnered with Tralelere, an operator of the national Safer Internet programme, to help parents better understand their children’s digital habits. The initiative aims to encourage open dialogue within families and provide practical advice and educational resources.
In India and Singapore, Microsoft is working with partner Cyberlite to capture young people’s perspectives on the benefits, risks and emotional impact of AI. Early findings from a workshop held in December 2025 reveal a nuanced view: participants described AI as a ‘judgement-free space’, but also raised concerns about privacy, overreliance on technology and the potential erosion of critical thinking. Notably, these risks were seen as more pressing than simply receiving incorrect advice.
The company is also expanding its educational tools. A new release in Microsoft Education’s CyberSafe series, CyberSafe: Bad Connection?, focuses on tackling serious risks related to online recruitment and radicalisation. Designed for classroom use, the resource aims to help students recognise warning signs and think critically about online interactions.
“Our commitment to helping young people access technology safely is also why we’ve partnered with organisations like the National 4-H Council to prepare young people for an AI-powered world through AI literacy and digital safety curriculum and game-based learning with Minecraft Education,” said Gregoire.
Read more: Microsoft’s partnership with National 4-H Council
For Microsoft’s ecosystem of partners, the message on Safer Internet Day is that online safety cannot be addressed by technology alone. It requires research to understand emerging risks, tools to prevent harm, and collaboration across governments, educators, non-profits and families.