Current challenges in children’s online safety in the context of the latest developments of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – the central topic of the Insafe–INHOPE Annual Joint Meeting (2026)

International Center “La Strada,” together with other representatives of European Safer Internet Centres, including specialists from reporting services (hotlines) and counselling services (helplines), online safety experts, and numerous decision-makers, is participating from 14 to 16 April in the annual joint training meeting of the Insafe and INHOPE networks, held this year in Jūrmala, Latvia.

In the context of rapidly evolving technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), the event aims to strengthen cooperation among members of the two international networks specializing in children’s online safety. This is pursued through a joint assessment and analysis of the most recent challenges faced in this field, as well as the identification of the most effective ways in which Safer Internet Centres (SICs) can respond to these risks in order to better protect children and young people in the digital environment.

How do emerging AI-based technologies influence the online safety of children, adolescents, and young people, and what risks are associated with the use of chatbots as virtual companions—particularly in the context of the growing generation of illegal content such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or so-called “deepnude” images? What innovative methods can be used to enhance the digital empowerment of Generations Z and Alpha, what role can gamification play in this process, how can research findings from helplines, hotlines, and empowerment centres be leveraged to improve interventions in the field, and how can international cooperation be strengthened through the exchange of best practices within the network? These are just some of the key topics addressed during this year’s Insafe–INHOPE joint meeting.

Within the framework of the event, the first day (14 April) was primarily dedicated to hotline services. The International Center “La Strada,” as a full member of the network, took part in an important decision-making process regarding the accession of two new countries to the INHOPE network.

On the same day, the organization’s team also participated in a series of thematic training workshops on children’s online safety, as well as in valuable networking sessions.

The meeting continued on the second and third days with an in-depth exploration of the topics introduced at the outset of the event, through a programme of practical workshops designed to foster dialogue and collaboration among professionals in the field. These activities focused on presenting national initiatives and facilitating the exchange of experience, contributing to the development of joint strategies for combating online risks and enabling learning from best practices implemented in other countries.

The participation of the International Center “La Strada” team in this event was made possible thanks to the support of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children Fund – Safe Online.

We also recall that, since 2022, the International Center “La Strada” has held the status of a specialized Safer Internet Centre, being part of the European “Better Internet for Kids+” network, coordinated by the European Commission.