About our SID activities
In 2026, South Africa will commemorate Safer Internet Day under the theme “Smart Tech, Safe Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI”. The national flagship event will be held in Mahikeng, North West Province, on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the Mahikeng Local Municipality.
Key activities include:
- A main Edutainment Expo targeting 150 learners, 100 educators, parents, and community leaders. The expo will feature interactive workshops, panel discussions with learners and tech experts, and information stalls from child protection and digital safety stakeholders.
- A focus on AI Ethics and Safety, including sessions on AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), digital consent, and responsible AI use.
- A week-long build-up campaign (4–9 February 2026) including:
- Back2School outreach programmes in selected Mahikeng schools.
- Community and parent engagement sessions.
- Law enforcement workshops on investigating online child exploitation.
- Youth and creator dialogues on digital content creation and safety.
- Men’s and faith-based dialogues on protecting children online.
These activities are designed to engage multiple audiences—learners, educators, parents, caregivers, and policymakers—and empower them with practical skills to navigate the digital world safely.
What we are doing to create a better internet...
At the Film and Publication Board, we believe that a better internet is not built by one organisation alone—it is a shared responsibility. That is why we work together with educators, parents, tech companies, law enforcement, and young people themselves to co-create a digital South Africa that is safe, inclusive, and empowering. Through partnership, education, and proactive protection, we are committed to ensuring that every child can explore the digital world with confidence and curiosity. This Safer Internet Day, and every day, we stand together for a better internet.
The FPB employs a multi-pronged strategy to create a safer and better internet for South Africa’s children:
- Regulatory oversight: Enforcing the Film and Publications Act to combat the distribution of harmful content, including CSAM and hate speech.
- Digital literacy programmes: Developing and disseminating age-appropriate educational resources on online safety, critical thinking, and digital citizenship for learners, educators, and parents.
- Public reporting mechanisms: Operating a 24/7 Online Content Complaints Platform where the public can report harmful content anonymously.
- Strategic partnerships: Collaborating with government, industry, civil society, and international bodies to amplify reach and impact.
- Research and advocacy: Conducting studies on digital trends and harms to inform policy, campaigns, and resource development.
- National campaigns: Leading annual SID activities and ongoing outreach to raise awareness and build resilience against online risks.
About us
The Film and Publication Board (FPB) is the statutory regulatory authority of South Africa, established under the Film and Publications Act (Act No. 65 of 1996). Our mandate includes the classification of films, games, and certain publications, with a strong focus on protecting children from exposure to harmful and age-inappropriate content in both physical and digital spaces.
As the leading national body for online safety awareness and digital literacy, the FPB serves as the Safer Internet Committee for South Africa. We coordinate the annual Safer Internet Day (SID) campaign nationally, working closely with government departments—especially the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT)—as well as child protection NGOs, law
enforcement, industry stakeholders, and community organisations.
Our mission is to foster a safer digital environment through education, regulation, and collaboration. We develop child-friendly digital literacy resources, conduct nationwide outreach programmes, manage online content complaints, and advocate for policies that prioritise the well-being of young digital citizens. In an era of rapid technological change, the FPB remains committed to ensuring that South Africa’s children can explore, learn, and create online—safely and responsibly.
About our SID activities
In 2026, South Africa will commemorate Safer Internet Day under the theme “Smart Tech, Safe Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI”. The national flagship event will be held in Mahikeng, North West Province, on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the Mahikeng Local Municipality.
Key activities include:
- A main Edutainment Expo targeting 150 learners, 100 educators, parents, and community leaders. The expo will feature interactive workshops, panel discussions with learners and tech experts, and information stalls from child protection and digital safety stakeholders.
- A focus on AI Ethics and Safety, including sessions on AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), digital consent, and responsible AI use.
- A week-long build-up campaign (4–9 February 2026) including:
- Back2School outreach programmes in selected Mahikeng schools.
- Community and parent engagement sessions.
- Law enforcement workshops on investigating online child exploitation.
- Youth and creator dialogues on digital content creation and safety.
- Men’s and faith-based dialogues on protecting children online.
These activities are designed to engage multiple audiences—learners, educators, parents, caregivers, and policymakers—and empower them with practical skills to navigate the digital world safely.
What we are doing to create a better internet...
At the Film and Publication Board, we believe that a better internet is not built by one organisation alone—it is a shared responsibility. That is why we work together with educators, parents, tech companies, law enforcement, and young people themselves to co-create a digital South Africa that is safe, inclusive, and empowering. Through partnership, education, and proactive protection, we are committed to ensuring that every child can explore the digital world with confidence and curiosity. This Safer Internet Day, and every day, we stand together for a better internet.
The FPB employs a multi-pronged strategy to create a safer and better internet for South Africa’s children:
- Regulatory oversight: Enforcing the Film and Publications Act to combat the distribution of harmful content, including CSAM and hate speech.
- Digital literacy programmes: Developing and disseminating age-appropriate educational resources on online safety, critical thinking, and digital citizenship for learners, educators, and parents.
- Public reporting mechanisms: Operating a 24/7 Online Content Complaints Platform where the public can report harmful content anonymously.
- Strategic partnerships: Collaborating with government, industry, civil society, and international bodies to amplify reach and impact.
- Research and advocacy: Conducting studies on digital trends and harms to inform policy, campaigns, and resource development.
- National campaigns: Leading annual SID activities and ongoing outreach to raise awareness and build resilience against online risks.
About us
The Film and Publication Board (FPB) is the statutory regulatory authority of South Africa, established under the Film and Publications Act (Act No. 65 of 1996). Our mandate includes the classification of films, games, and certain publications, with a strong focus on protecting children from exposure to harmful and age-inappropriate content in both physical and digital spaces.
As the leading national body for online safety awareness and digital literacy, the FPB serves as the Safer Internet Committee for South Africa. We coordinate the annual Safer Internet Day (SID) campaign nationally, working closely with government departments—especially the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT)—as well as child protection NGOs, law
enforcement, industry stakeholders, and community organisations.
Our mission is to foster a safer digital environment through education, regulation, and collaboration. We develop child-friendly digital literacy resources, conduct nationwide outreach programmes, manage online content complaints, and advocate for policies that prioritise the well-being of young digital citizens. In an era of rapid technological change, the FPB remains committed to ensuring that South Africa’s children can explore, learn, and create online—safely and responsibly.
