Telefono Azzurro, an active member of the INHOPE network and Italy's authorised hotline for reporting illegal online content, marked Safer Internet Day 2026 with a two-day series of high-level events in Milan and Rome dedicated to safeguarding children and adolescents in the digital age.
Under the theme "Growing Up with Artificial Intelligence: Making Informed Choices in a Connected World", the foundation brought together institutions, academic experts, technology companies and youth advocates to examine both the opportunities and risks posed by artificial intelligence for young users. The initiative aimed to foster structured, cross-sector dialogue to promote safe, inclusive and educational digital experiences for younger generations.
The sessions featured leading representatives from academia, healthcare, law enforcement, public institutions, the third sector and the technology industry. Discussions addressed key issues including AI and youth mental health, online safety frameworks, ethical design responsibilities, and the importance of coordinated prevention and support strategies for families and educators.
Telefono Azzurro presented new data from a collaborative study with the Ipsos Doxa Institute showing that more than one in three Italian adolescents now regularly use AI-based tools such as chatbots - not only for study and information-seeking, but increasingly as outlets for emotional support and personal advice. Whilst many young people report curiosity and engagement with AI, a substantial proportion also report experiencing risks, including reduced critical thinking, diminished real-world social interactions and blurred boundaries between reality and digital constructs.
The afternoon discussions shifted focus from research and awareness to policy responses and international strategies for protecting children and adolescents online. A key theme was the growing global push for stronger regulation of digital platforms. Speakers examined age-verification systems, platform accountability, and the responsibility of technology companies to prevent minors from bypassing safety protections. International experiences were presented as reference models, including regulatory approaches designed to delay social media access for younger users and strengthen enforcement mechanisms. The session also emphasised Europe's strategic role in shaping child online safety standards, encouraging cross-border cooperation and shared regulatory frameworks.
In closing, Telefono Azzurro reaffirmed its commitment to supporting children and adolescents through both direct services and advocacy, whilst urging international cooperation to ensure that innovation in digital and AI technologies enhances — rather than undermines — the mental health and developmental well-being of younger generations.
