Take part!Safer Internet Day 2026: AI and me. In an artificial relationship.
More and more people are using AI bots as a matter of course in their everyday lives - to entertain, flirt, learn, inform and solve problems. AI systems are increasingly taking on roles that were previously reserved for humans: Friends, teachers, partners, therapists or influencers. This can lead to so-called parasocial relationships. These are one-sided bonds with digital systems that simulate closeness and familiarity. With the motto "AI and me. In an artificial relationship." on Safer Internet Day 2026 (SID26), klicksafe is focusing on the question of how the increasing use of AI companions affects the way we interact with each other and, above all, how children and young people grow up.
According to the latest JIM Study 2025*, ChatGPT alone is used by 90% of young people between the ages of 16 and 19. Dr. Marc Jan Eumann, Chairman of the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM) and Director of the Rhineland-Palatinate Media Authority, says: "Most children and young people are already exposed to unregulated AI systems today - and in the testing phase of their lives, especially when it comes to friendship, relationships and sexuality. Children and young people need protection through effective regulation that holds commercial providers accountable. The nationwide EU initiative klicksafe educates and supports adolescents in finding a healthy and critical approach to AI companions."
"Virtual friends and partners are always available, patient and can simulate deceptively real closeness and understanding. It becomes problematic when young people become emotionally dependent, follow false health advice, share intimate data with AI services or are misled by deepfakes and manipulative content," explains Deborah Woldemichael, head of the EU initiative klicksafe.
Strengthening young people's media skills
With Safer Internet Day 2026, klicksafe wants to support young people in developing a reflective, critical and informed approach to generative AI bots. The aim is for young people to
- recognize when AI bots are helpful,
- understand why AI bots can be dangerous or manipulative,
- learn what distinguishes real human relationships from simulated relationships.
klicksafe school lesson at SID provides information
At the SID, klicksafe invites school classes nationwide to the klicksafe school lesson. In an interactive livestream format, young people from year 7 onwards will explore the question of how AI bots influence thinking, communication and relationships and the consequences of their daily use. This provides teachers with a practical teaching tool to promote media literacy and critical thinking in their classes. School classes can register now at: https://www.yaez.com/schoolrm/klicksafe-schulstunde-sid-2026
Safer Internet Month: Register for the campaign now and take part!
Whether schools, companies, authorities, media companies, start-ups or associations - everyone who is concerned about online safety and media literacy is invited to actively participate in Safer Internet Day, either on the main topic or with their own topics for a better Internet. SID campaigns can now be registered with klicksafe: https://www.klicksafe.de/sid26/anmelden. The SID campaign page "AI and me." will be available from the end of November. As in the previous year, campaigns are welcome throughout the month of February.
You can find more information and images on our press page:
* The JIM Study 2025 by the Medienpädagogischer Forschungsverbund Südwest (mpfs) will be published on 14.11.2025 via Livestream published.