As Safer Internet Day 2026 approaches on 10 February, schools across the UK are preparing to explore this year’s theme: the safe and responsible use of AI. With artificial intelligence now embedded in the apps, games and digital tools children use daily, teachers are looking for accessible, age‑appropriate ways to help pupils understand how AI works – and how to use it safely.
To support this, Premier League Primary Stars has launched a brand‑new free classroom pack, Smart Tech, Safe Choices, created with the support of the UK Safer Internet Centre and Childnet. The resource introduces pupils to the opportunities and risks of AI, helping them develop the digital critical thinking skills they need to navigate the online world confidently.
Supporting teachers with AI safety education
AI already shapes children’s digital experiences – from recommended videos and in‑game characters to search results and chat tools. Yet many young people are unaware that the content they see has been influenced or generated by AI. Smart Tech, Safe Choices has been developed in response to this growing need, giving teachers everything they need to open up honest, practical conversations about responsible technology use.
The resource covers:
- What AI is and where pupils encounter it, including voice assistants, recommendation algorithms, video games and search tools.
- How AI-generated images, messages or information may be misleading or unsafe, helping pupils recognise when something doesn’t seem right.
- Scenario cards and classroom prompts where pupils practise deciding what action to take in different online situations.
- Digital critical thinking skills, encouraging children to question, evaluate and verify online content.
Aligned with computing, digital literacy and PSHE outcomes, the pack is designed for instant delivery, requiring no teacher preparation time.
Recognising risks and making safer choices
One of the pack’s key aims is to help pupils understand how AI can be used positively while also recognising potential risks. Through case studies and discussion activities, pupils explore:
- how AI‑generated images or messages can be edited, fake or manipulated
- how misinformation spreads online
- what to do if they encounter unkind, unreliable or unsafe content
- when to seek adult help or report something
These scenarios support an ongoing conversation about online safety and give pupils the confidence to challenge what they see online.
A practical resource for a fast-changing digital landscape
Teachers often report feeling underprepared when discussing AI with pupils, especially as platforms update faster than classroom guidance. Smart Tech, Safe Choices offers a clear, structured way to build pupils’ understanding without adding to teachers’ workload.
The resource also supports whole‑school digital safety strategies and can be used flexibly in:
- Safer Internet Day assemblies
- computing lessons
- PSHE sessions
- small‑group work around online safety
By grounding the topic in real‑world examples, the pack helps children see AI as something they interact with every day – and something they can learn to navigate safely.
Explore the resource
Smart Tech, Safe Choices is available now for teachers to download for free via the Premier League Primary Stars website.
For schools preparing activities for Safer Internet Day 2026, the resource offers a ready‑to‑use, expert‑informed way to help pupils stay safe, think critically and make smarter choices online.
