Child Online Safety
Protecting children from online risks such as cyberbullying, exploitation, harmful content, and privacy violations by promoting awareness, prevention, and reporting mechanisms across Africa.
2026 safer internet day
Africa Safer Internet Day (ASID) 2026 is part of the worldwide Safer Internet Day movement,
an annual celebration that brings people together to promote safer, responsible, and inclusive use
of digital technology, especially among children and youth. The internet connects us all; it’s
where we learn, share, communicate, and create. But it also brings real risks if we don’t equip
users with the right skills and support.
WHAT IS ASID?
Africa Safer Internet Day (ASID) links Africa to a global movement that started in Europe in 2004 to promote safer online spaces. Every year, Safer Internet Day is celebrated in more than 180 countries with events, workshops, dialogues, and campaigns focused on digital safety, inclusion and well-being
Together for a BETTER INTERNET:AU ONLINE SAFETY Policy in Action
Our Shared Purpose
Africa Safer Internet Day (ASID) 2026 is Africa’s collective moment to protect, empower, and uplift children and young people in the digital world.
Led by Child Online Africa, together with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the ITU Regional Office for Africa, and partners across the continent, ASID 2026 celebrates and activates the African Union Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy, adopted in February 2024.
This campaign is rooted in hope, shared responsibility, and Ubuntu I am because we are ensuring
that every child can explore the digital world safely, confidently, and creatively.
From busy cities to rural communities, from classrooms to homes, ASID 2026 invites everyone to take part in shaping a digital future where children are protected, respected, and empowered.
No child walks the digital path alone.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Children and young people make up nearly 40% of Africa’s internet users. Digital tools open doors to learning, creativity, and opportunity but also expose children to risks such as:
- Cyberbullying
- Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA)
- Online grooming and harmful contact
- Misinformation and data exploitation
ASID 2026 responds by promoting protection without fear, empowerment without exclusion, and
policy-backed action rooted in African realities.
