Led by iSIGURT.al, together with ALO 116-111 and CRCA Albania, in partnership with the SID Committee of Albania, this year's Safer Internet Day put children and young people at the centre of the national debate on digital rights and online protection.
The 11th national Forum for Online Safety, held on 12 February 2026 at the Pyramid of Tirana, brought together institutions, teachers, parents, caregivers, law representatives, the technology sector and, above all, young people themselves.
The theme was simple, but powerful: children are not just internet users. They are rights holders.
Young people in leadership
For the first time on this scale, young people moderated panels, presented findings, challenged institutions and shared real-life experiences on cyberbullying, sexual harassment, hate speech and digital pressure. Six girls from Tirana high schools led keynote sessions, addressing online gender-based violence and the underrepresentation of girls in STEM and digital decision-making spaces.
This was not just a formal participation, it was a structured, prepared engagement with real impact. The Safe Internet Ambassadors co-designed all parts of the program in close collaboration with the SIC team, formulated public policy questions and addressed decision-makers directly.
One of the strongest messages that emerged from the Forum was that protection without participation is incomplete. Children and young people want safety, but they also want a voice, space for action and respect.
Evidence-based advocacy
Safer Internet Day 2026 also highlighted data-driven work. Findings from national helpline services and online reporting mechanisms were presented, highlighting trends in cyberbullying, the risks of grooming and exposure to harmful content.
The helpline shared experiences from calls received from children, parents and schools, showing that helplines function not only as support mechanisms, but also as early warning systems for new online risks.
This data directly feeds advocacy efforts. Discussions during SID 2026 reinforced the need for stronger reporting mechanisms, better cooperation between platforms and national authorities, and for integrating digital literacy education into school curricula.
The approach was clear: awareness must lead to structural change.
National cooperation in action
SID 2026 demonstrated strong collaboration between different actors. Ministers, independent authorities, civil society organisations and youth representatives engaged under a shared commitment to protecting children online. The national committee for Safer Internet Day continues to serve as a platform for coordinated action, not for isolated initiatives.
Workshops with teachers and child protection professionals focused on practical tools: how to identify online abuse, how to respond to a report, and how to integrate digital safety into everyday educational practice. The emphasis was on sustainability. Safer Internet Day is a milestone, but the work continues throughout the year.
Best practices identified
Three good practices emerged from Albania's experience in SID 2026.
- Youth-led dialogue works. When they are entrusted with real responsibility, the quality of debate increases and institutions respond differently.
- Data from helplines and reporting mechanisms should inform national policy discussions. Real-life cases reveal patterns that aggregate statistics do not show.
- Cross-sectoral collaboration is essential. Online safety is at the intersection of education, child protection, law enforcement, digital policies, and mental health. Fragmented approaches don't work.
The steps that lead forward
Safer Internet Day 2026 in Albania reinforced a simple truth. The digital world is already part of childhood. The question is not whether children should be online, but whether adults and institutions are prepared to protect their rights there.
The work of iSIGURT.al, ALO 116-111 and CRCA Albania continues beyond this day. Through reporting mechanisms, advisory services, work with schools, youth empowerment initiatives and advocacy for stronger policies, the goal remains clear: a digital environment where children are safe, heard and respected.
Safer Internet Day is a day on the calendar. Building a safe internet is a long-term commitment. In 2026, in Albania, it was built together with young people.
This article was originally published on the SIC website, and is here repurposed with permission.
Find out more about Safer Internet Day in Albania. Alternatively, find more information about the work of the Albanian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
More on digital and socia-cultural environment
Led by iSIGURT.al, together with ALO 116-111 and CRCA Albania, in partnership with the SID Committee of Albania, this year's Safer Internet Day put children and young people at the centre of the national debate on digital rights and online protection.
The 11th national Forum for Online Safety, held on 12 February 2026 at the Pyramid of Tirana, brought together institutions, teachers, parents, caregivers, law representatives, the technology sector and, above all, young people themselves.
The theme was simple, but powerful: children are not just internet users. They are rights holders.
Young people in leadership
For the first time on this scale, young people moderated panels, presented findings, challenged institutions and shared real-life experiences on cyberbullying, sexual harassment, hate speech and digital pressure. Six girls from Tirana high schools led keynote sessions, addressing online gender-based violence and the underrepresentation of girls in STEM and digital decision-making spaces.
This was not just a formal participation, it was a structured, prepared engagement with real impact. The Safe Internet Ambassadors co-designed all parts of the program in close collaboration with the SIC team, formulated public policy questions and addressed decision-makers directly.
One of the strongest messages that emerged from the Forum was that protection without participation is incomplete. Children and young people want safety, but they also want a voice, space for action and respect.
Evidence-based advocacy
Safer Internet Day 2026 also highlighted data-driven work. Findings from national helpline services and online reporting mechanisms were presented, highlighting trends in cyberbullying, the risks of grooming and exposure to harmful content.
The helpline shared experiences from calls received from children, parents and schools, showing that helplines function not only as support mechanisms, but also as early warning systems for new online risks.
This data directly feeds advocacy efforts. Discussions during SID 2026 reinforced the need for stronger reporting mechanisms, better cooperation between platforms and national authorities, and for integrating digital literacy education into school curricula.
The approach was clear: awareness must lead to structural change.
National cooperation in action
SID 2026 demonstrated strong collaboration between different actors. Ministers, independent authorities, civil society organisations and youth representatives engaged under a shared commitment to protecting children online. The national committee for Safer Internet Day continues to serve as a platform for coordinated action, not for isolated initiatives.
Workshops with teachers and child protection professionals focused on practical tools: how to identify online abuse, how to respond to a report, and how to integrate digital safety into everyday educational practice. The emphasis was on sustainability. Safer Internet Day is a milestone, but the work continues throughout the year.
Best practices identified
Three good practices emerged from Albania's experience in SID 2026.
- Youth-led dialogue works. When they are entrusted with real responsibility, the quality of debate increases and institutions respond differently.
- Data from helplines and reporting mechanisms should inform national policy discussions. Real-life cases reveal patterns that aggregate statistics do not show.
- Cross-sectoral collaboration is essential. Online safety is at the intersection of education, child protection, law enforcement, digital policies, and mental health. Fragmented approaches don't work.
The steps that lead forward
Safer Internet Day 2026 in Albania reinforced a simple truth. The digital world is already part of childhood. The question is not whether children should be online, but whether adults and institutions are prepared to protect their rights there.
The work of iSIGURT.al, ALO 116-111 and CRCA Albania continues beyond this day. Through reporting mechanisms, advisory services, work with schools, youth empowerment initiatives and advocacy for stronger policies, the goal remains clear: a digital environment where children are safe, heard and respected.
Safer Internet Day is a day on the calendar. Building a safe internet is a long-term commitment. In 2026, in Albania, it was built together with young people.
This article was originally published on the SIC website, and is here repurposed with permission.
Find out more about Safer Internet Day in Albania. Alternatively, find more information about the work of the Albanian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
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