Smart Tech, Safer Choices: Why Safer Internet Day 2026 Puts AI in the Spotlight

Safer Internet Day takes place February 10, and this year’s theme feels particularly relevant: “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.”

Artificial intelligence is no longer something you only hear about in movies or headlines. It’s already shaping how we search for information, do schoolwork, create videos, talk to customer support, and decide what to trust online.

That’s why the focus of Safer Internet Day this year matters. It’s not about telling people to avoid AI, but about helping them understand it well enough to use it safely, confidently, and responsibly.

AI and its double-edged sword

When used well, AI offers clear benefits. It can support learning, boost creativity, and improve online safety by detecting scams, fake websites, and malicious behavior faster than humans could ever do. At Bitdefender, AI is already used to identify suspicious patterns and emerging threats, helping people pause before they fall victim to fraud or manipulation.

But AI also opens the gate to abuse. We’ve seen it used to generate convincing fake videos, voices, and images, sometimes for so-called “pranks” that cross ethical lines, and other times for outright scams. The same technology that can create helpful tools can just as easily be used to deceive, embarrass, or exploit.

Related articles:

What Parents Need to Know About the ‘AI Homeless Man’ Prank

How to Talk AI and Deepfakes with Children

According to Bitdefender’s 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey, 37% of consumers cite their biggest concern about AI as its use in sophisticated scams, such as deepfake videos and audio. More than seven in 10 consumers encountered scams in the past year, and one in seven fell victim.

Children, teens, and the confidence gap

Young users tend to adopt new technology quickly, but that budding confidence can bring risk. Many children and teenagers already use AI-powered tools for schoolwork, image creation, and social content, often without realizing what happens to the information they share.

The same survey shows that younger consumers are twice as likely to be scammed as the older generations, largely because they share more personal content online and spend more time on social platforms.

Related: Lessons From the Classroom: What Kids in School Taught Me About Online Safety

AI tools feel helpful and safe, which makes it easy to forget that:

• AI systems can store or learn from inputs
• Not everything they generate is accurate
• Images, voices, and videos can be entirely fabricated

When scammers wear familiar faces

One of the most unsettling consequences of accessible AI is impersonation. Scammers no longer need stolen passwords to gain trust: they can borrow a face, voice, or personality instead.

Recent cases show how AI-generated voices and videos are used to impersonate family members or trusted public figures, pushing victims into panic-driven decisions. In some cases, just a few seconds of audio pulled from social media is enough to convincingly clone someone’s voice.

Related: They Wear Our Faces: How Scammers Are Using AI to Swindle American Families

Celebrity endorsement scams are another growing problem. AI-generated videos promote fake giveaways or investment schemes using recognizable faces, counting on familiarity to override skepticism. These scams don’t just target individuals — they affect families, finances, and trust itself.

When content is designed to trigger urgency, fear, or excitement, that emotional pressure is usually the real hook.

Smart tech, safer choices: practical AI safety tips

Safer Internet Day 2026 highlights the fact that AI literacy needs to be part of online safety. These habits help both adults and younger users stay in control.

Treat AI tools like public spaces
Chatting with Chatbots and AI assistants should not be treated like a private conversation. Avoid sharing personal details such as full names, addresses, phone numbers, school information, login credentials, or sensitive photos.

Be skeptical of videos and voice messages
If a clip urges you to act fast, promises easy rewards, or uses emotional pressure, pause. AI makes it easy to fake authority, urgency, and familiarity.

Question celebrity endorsements and giveaways
Real celebrities don’t promote investment opportunities or giveaways through surprise messages or viral videos. Familiar faces are no longer proof of authenticity.

Verify before sharing
Whether the content is political, entertaining, or shocking, look for confirmation from reliable sources. AI-powered misinformation spreads because people react first and verify later.

Use AI to protect yourself, too
Scammers use AI to refine their tactics, but honest users can turn the technology back in their favor. Tools like Bitdefender Scamio use AI to analyze suspicious messages, links, and offers, helping people decide whether something is legitimate before engaging.