Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day is an annual celebration that takes place in February to raise awareness of a better, safer, more creative and empowering internet for all, and especially for children and young people.

Celebrated in more than 110 countries and organised by the European Commission, Safer Internet Day has rapidly spread over European borders and has become a must-attend event in the digital agenda.

Digital Services Act Inspiration DayFebruary 10th 2026 - Brussels

The Safer Internet Day 2026 DSA Inspiration Day brings together key Belgian and European stakeholders to explore how the Digital Services Act can meaningfully strengthen the online experiences of children and young people.  This Day will explore both the regulatory and educational dimensions of the DSA, focusing on how to make its principles visible, actionable, and beneficial for young people online. The DSA under 3 complementary angles: 

  1. The legal foundation

A deep dive into the DSA framework, notice-and-action mechanisms, obligations for platforms, child-centred design principles (Art. 28 Guidelines), and enforcement processes. Some key players in enforcing the DSA properly in Belgium will explain how they treat reports/complaints. This first part aims to equip media literacy actors, youth organisations and educators with a solid, accurate understanding of the rights and protections created by the DSA — particularly those that matter most for minors.

  1. Awareness, communication and education

Based on youth testimonies and parental perspectives, this second part will highlight how media literacy organisations, Safer Internet Centres, Trusted Flaggers, and youth communities can translate DSA rights into practice through communication, awareness-raising and educational initiatives. The role of media literacy in supporting the practical implementation of the DSA will be discussed.

  1. Making reporting work for young users

Drawing on concrete European examples, this final session explores how to help young people feel informed, empowered, and confident when reporting illegal or harmful content or seeking support.  It will outline what user-friendly and child-friendly reporting mechanisms look like and how actors such as Trusted Flaggers, hotlines and Safer Internet Centres can support young users  – acting as bridges between users, platforms, the DSC and judicial authorities when platforms fail to act.

The DSA Inspiration Day aims to foster shared understanding, cross-sector collaboration, and practical inspiration, enabling Belgian actors to support young people in safely exercising their rights online.

Expected Outcomes

  • Summary report and synthesis of idea’s, conclusions and recommendations.
  • DSA Open letter from Young people

Event Details

Date: 10 February 2026 

Time: 09:00 – 16:00

Format: hybrid with live translation in Dutch and French (onsite participation by invitation only  / online broadcast upon registration)

Agenda

Welcome

Moderators:
Michèle Ledger, Cullen International
Nadège Bastiaenen, Child Focus

08:30 – 09:00 — Welcome

09:00 – 09:15 — Opening Words 

Theme, goals and expectations of the day

Speakers:

  • Bernardo Herman, Member of the BIPT Council
  • Nel Broothaerts, CEO Child Focus

09:15 – 09:20 — Introduction to the DSA Inspiration Day

PART 1 – The Legal Foundation

Provide actors in media literacy and youth education with a solid understanding of the DSA framework, notice-and-action mechanisms, child-centered design obligations, the Art. 28 Guidelines, and the enforcement ecosystem.

09:20 – 09:25 — Setting the Scene: “DSA Spies” (Video)

Young people testing how online platforms work in practice

09:30 – 10:30 — Understanding the DSA Framework

Speakers:

  1. Monika Moens, Legal advisor, Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications – DSC Belgium 
  2. Martin Harris Hess, Head of Sector for Protection of Minors online, DG CNECT,  European Commission
  3. Q&A 

10:30 – 10:45 — Coffee break

10:45 – 11:45 — The Heart of the DSA: Notice & Action Mechanisms

Speakers:

  1. Catherine Van de Heyning, Deputy Public Prosecutor, Cybercrime Unit Antwerp – Public Prosecutor’s Office Belgium
  2. Flore Bouhey Dwan, Director of Platform Supervision, Coimisún na Meán – DSC Ireland
  3. Q&A

11:45 – 11:55 — Key Takeaways Part 1

12.00 – 13:00 — Lunch Break

PART 2 – Awareness, Communication and Education

Inspire educators, media literacy organisations, youth actors, and civil society to translate DSA rights into awareness-raising initiatives, tools, and communication strategies.

13.00 – 13:10 —  Testimonial from Parent Association – Beatrijs Gelders (COFACE)

13:10 – 14:10 — Understanding youth under the DSA : from awareness to empowerment

Speakers:

  1. Tatiana Debrabandere, Betternet, Media literacy expert: Empowering young users to take action and the role digital literacy (opportunities and limits)
  2. Lara Schreurs, Assistant Professor, Media Psychology Lab, KULeuven: Youth perspective on barriers & motivators – Which conditions are needed to make media literacy work?
  3. Flash presentation of inspiring tools:
      • ActiMédia – CSEM – Damien Haenecour
      • Pedagogical kit ‘Online influence’ – Mediawijs – Karen Linten
      • DSA resource package for schools – Save the Children (SIC Romania) – Bianca Stan
  4. Q&A

14:10 – 14:15 — Key Takeaways Part 2 

14:15 – 14:30 — Coffee break

PART 3 – Making Reporting Work for Young Users

How to guide young people towards reporting tools available on platforms and offering support when platforms fail to act. The bridge between users, platforms, the DSC, judicial authorities.

14.30 – 14:40 —  Setting the scene: guiding young people in the reporting journey 

(Child Focus: Tijana Popovic) 

14:40 – 15:40— Reporting mechanisms under scrutiny

Speakers:

  1. Yvette Velzeboer – Offlimits – SIC The Netherlands & Trusted Flagger
  2. Martha Hjorth Beste and Julie Hjort – Red Barnet – SIC Denmark
  3. Q&A

15:40 – 15:45 — Key Takeaways Part 3 

15:45 – 15:55 — Final words: Youth Open Letter (Video)

Young people reflecting on their experiences and ambitions for a safer internet

15:55 – 16:00  — Closing remarks : The next steps

Take part in Safer Internet Day!

Interested in reflecting on the Digital Services Act and how it can improve young people’s online lives?

Then join our DSA Inspiration Day online! Please register before February 3 using the form below. A link will be sent a week before the event.

We look forward to an inspiring and interesting day together!

Register here

Goal

With Safer Internet Day, digital education rhymes with positivity. The concept of online safety is enriched by the notion of a better Internet. The starting point is to highlight the advantages of the Internet, and inspire users to surf responsibly and with curiosity.

By highlighting the advantages of critical use of the Internet, we can make young people aware of the pitfalls. We need to equip children and encourage young people to think about the consequences of their actions on the Internet, so that they learn to manage the risks and maximize the opportunities of their online experience.

Past editions