Safer internet for our youth is a collective responsibility

I can still remember one of my earliest encounters with the internet when I was a freshman student at the George Washington University, searching for information on English literature for my English class. I had just been introduced to the university’s online library database and it felt overwhelming yet thrilling. I typed “Romantic poets” into the search bar and, within seconds, dozens of journal articles and book excerpts filled the screen. I was amazed at how much information was at my fingertips. Gone were the days of flipping through endless library catalogs. That moment marked the beginning of my deep appreciation for the digital world as a gateway to knowledge and discovery.

The internet has become an indispensable part of modern life, connecting billions, fostering innovation and providing access to information like never before. It is a widely accessible and powerful tool for communication, connection, education, commerce — and entertainment too.

However, this very interconnectedness has also created vulnerabilities, some of which have unfortunately led to a decline in online safety. The speed of the internet has meant the quick relay of helpful knowledge, but also the rapid spread of misinformation. The rise of anonymity has protected some people but emboldened others to do things online that they would not do in person. It can amplify anything — a show of empathy but also trolling and cyberbullying.

A safer internet is particularly important for younger audiences, whose sense of themselves — and the world at large — is still being formed. So, how do we make and keep the internet safer? This is a question that comes up regularly, not just on Safer Internet Day, which was marked last week. The short answer is: collectively.

The speed of the internet has meant the quick relay of helpful knowledge, but also the rapid spread of misinformation

As consumers, we need to be more critical of the information we consume online, practicing media literacy and fact-checking before sharing. We must be responsible digital citizens and role models by treating others with respect, while also reporting harmful content when we see it. Schools have a role in educating people on how to use the internet and for what. Coders must build security into the very fabric of online platforms.

Platforms where large communities connect and create content are also stepping up and looking at how they can enhance safety measures, while still delivering an optimal and tailored user experience. For example, TikTok features like “Restricted Mode” limit exposure to mature or complex themes, while “Comment Care Mode” helps with enhanced comment filtering, thereby ensuring content remains age-appropriate.

The content community platform is refining its “Family Pairing” feature and tweaking direct messaging settings, while it also has a “Screen Time Management” tool that promotes healthier digital habits and scheduled breaks, with activity dashboards. Youth safety enhancements further strengthen protections for younger users, including default privacy settings and content restrictions, encouraging safer and more mindful engagement.

We can all contribute to a safer and more positive online experience, ensuring that the internet remains a force for good

Keeping the internet safe is not someone else’s responsibility; it is ours. It is a collective effort that requires collaboration, action and contributions from platforms, coders, governments, schools, communities and individual users. We can all contribute to a safer and more positive online experience, ensuring that the internet remains a force for good in the world. This is not just a challenge, it is an opportunity to be part of shaping a digital future that harbors online safety, champions cyber resilience and empowers meaningful connections to information, entertainment and each other, for everyone.

- Dr. Hamed Al-Neyadi is a member of the TikTok MENAT Safety Advisory Council.