Safer Internet Day 2026: What Cork Parents Need to Know About Kids and AI

Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Safer Internet Day, a global event celebrated in over 180 countries, and this year's theme hits close to home for any parent whose child has ever asked Alexa a question or spent an afternoon on TikTok. The 2026 theme, "AI Aware: Safe, Smart and in Control", puts the spotlight squarely on artificial intelligence and how it is reshaping the digital lives of children and young people.

The Irish Safer Internet Centre is hosting today's event at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in Dublin, bringing together young people, educators, policymakers and international experts to discuss how families can navigate the growing influence of AI. The event features contributions from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel, Online Safety Commissioner Niamh Hodnett, keynote speaker Dr Mhairi Aitken of the Alan Turing Institute, Professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Dr Claudette Pretorius, Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin.

AI is already in your child's life, even if you don't realise it

Artificial intelligence is not some distant, futuristic concept. If your child uses a voice assistant like Siri or Alexa, watches YouTube or Netflix, plays with face-changing filters on Snapchat, or gets homework help from a chatbot, they are already interacting with AI. These systems use algorithms trained on vast amounts of data to make suggestions, answer questions and personalise content.

The AI making headlines now goes further. Generative AI tools, such as chatbots that hold full conversations, image generators that create pictures from text prompts, and AI "companions" designed to chat like real people, are increasingly accessible to young users. These tools can write essays, generate realistic images and produce content from scratch, raising serious questions about how children engage with them.

New research raises concerns

New research from University College Dublin, presented at today's event, paints a complex picture. Young people do not trust AI, yet they increasingly rely on it. They reluctantly accept the privacy trade-offs that come with modern digital life, even as they recognise AI's potential for harm, particularly around dangerous or emotionally harmful content and the generation of non-consensual intimate images.

The findings highlight a troubling reality: many children are navigating these powerful tools without adequate support or understanding of the risks involved.

AI and image-based abuse: why Coco's Law matters more than ever

One of the most alarming risks highlighted by today's research is the use of AI to generate non-consensual intimate images, sometimes referred to as "AI nudes". This is not a theoretical concern. UCD researchers heard directly from young people about incidents in schools where AI-generated intimate images of peers were created and shared.

Parents should be aware that Ireland has specific legislation to address image-based abuse. The Harassment, Harmful Communication and Related Offences Act 2020, widely known as Coco's Law, makes it a criminal offence to distribute, publish or threaten to distribute intimate images without consent. Children and young people need to understand that creating or sharing intimate images of someone without their consent is not a prank or a joke; it is a criminal offence with real consequences.

Webwise has developed the Lockers resource to help schools address the sharing of explicit self-generated images of minors. Intended for use with Junior Cycle SPHE classes, Lockers includes two animations, six lesson plans and an information section for school leaders. A dedicated Coco's Law lesson is available for both junior and senior cycle students, helping young people understand their legal responsibilities and empowering them to speak up about online sexual harassment.

What should parents watch out for?

For parents in Cork and beyond, the key concerns around children and AI fall into several areas.

Data privacy is a significant issue. Some AI tools log everything a child types or says, and it is not always clear how that information is stored or shared.

Misinformation is another risk. AI-generated responses can sound confident and authoritative, even when they are completely wrong. Children, particularly younger ones, may struggle to distinguish between reliable information and convincing nonsense.

Inappropriate content remains a concern. Creative AI tools can generate unexpected results, including material that is scary, mature or simply bizarre, without adequate filtering for younger users.

Overtrust is perhaps the most subtle danger. Younger children in particular may treat an AI chatbot as a teacher, friend or authority figure, not understanding that they are interacting with software rather than a person. AI "companion" apps, designed to act as friends or confidants, can blur this line further.

What can parents do?

You do not need to become an AI expert, and banning technology entirely is neither practical nor necessary. The most effective approach is to stay curious, stay involved and keep the conversation going.

Start by finding out where your child is encountering AI. Ask them what apps they use and whether any of them talk back, suggest content or create things for them. Talk about the difference between AI that works quietly in the background, like video recommendations, and tools that interact directly with your child through conversation or creative prompts.

Help your children understand that chatbots and AI companions are software, not friends. Encourage them to question what AI tells them, just as they would question information from any unfamiliar source. If it sounds too confident or too good to be true, it is worth checking.

Make sure your children understand the law. Talk to them about Coco's Law and the serious consequences of creating, sharing or threatening to share intimate images of anyone without consent. This is a conversation that matters now more than ever, given how easily AI tools can produce realistic images.

For practical guidance, Webwise has released a new Parents' Guide to Generative AI for Safer Internet Day 2026, developed in collaboration with the ADAPT Centre and the National Parents Council. It is available as a free download in both English and Irish on the Webwise website and offers straightforward, jargon-free advice on helping your family navigate AI safely and responsibly.

Support is available

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton:

"It is now more important than ever that we can empower our children and young people to develop the critical thinking and digital literacy skills needed to evaluate AI generated content, protect their privacy and make responsible decisions."

Online Safety Commissioner Niamh Hodnett:

"Safer Internet Day is an important event in our calendar and its focus this year on AI is both welcome and timely."

If you are concerned about something your child has encountered online, support is available. Childline offers a free, 24-hour service for young people up to the age of 18 on 1800 66 66 66. The National Parents Council helpline can be reached on 01 887 4477. To report illegal online content, including child abuse imagery, visit Hotline.ie.

Safer Internet Day in Ireland is coordinated by the Irish Safer Internet Centre, a partnership between Webwise, the Irish Internet Hotline, the ISPCC and the National Parents Council, under the coordination of the Department of Justice and co-funded by the European Union.