PHNOM PENH — Cambodia marked Safer Internet Day 2026 with a landmark national celebration on Tuesday, February 17, at the Royal University of Agriculture, presided over by H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Chairman of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT).
This high-profile event was jointly organized by the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) and Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE Cambodia) in collaboration with key government ministries including the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), National Council for Children (CNCC), Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Information (MoInfo), and the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC).
More than 2,000 participants gathered for the celebration, including children, young people, government officials, educators, civil society representatives, technology industry stakeholders, and media, demonstrating Cambodia’s strong collective commitment to protecting children in the digital age.
EMPOWERING CAMBODIA’S DIGITAL GENERATION
Safer Internet Day 2026 encouraged children and young people to engage with digital technology positively and responsibly. This year’s Cambodian theme, “Safe, Ethical, and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” addresses emerging challenges while building digital confidence among young users.
“We recognize that children are not merely technology consumers—they are active participants in shaping Cambodia’s digital future,” said the campaign organizers. “Our initiative focuses on three core objectives:
EDUCATE: Help children, parents, and teachers understand both the opportunities and risks in our digital world, including AI technologies.
EQUIP: Provide practical tools and knowledge for safe online behavior, critical thinking, and responsible digital citizenship.
EMPOWER: Build confidence among children and youth to speak up, seek help, and become potential leaders in their online communities.”
A GLOBAL MOVEMENT WITH LOCAL IMPACT
The Safer Internet Day campaign was launched by the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and has evolved from a European initiative into a global movement, now celebrated in over 160 countries worldwide. The annual event raises awareness about emerging online risks, from cyberbullying and social media threats to digital identity protection.
In Cambodia, Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE), with support from the Royal Government of Cambodia, has organized this campaign since 2019, strengthening its commitment to online child protection year after year.
This year’s campaign aimed to achieve:
• Increased awareness among children and youth about safe, ethical, and responsible AI use
• Stronger partnerships between government, educational institutions, technology companies, and civil society organizations
• Enhanced essential knowledge resources for families and schools supporting safe internet use
• More open dialogue between adults and children about online experiences and concerns
• Strengthened policies promoting child protection measures in Cambodia’s digital landscape
VOICES FROM THE CAMPAIGN
Mr. Samleang Seila, Executive Director of APLE, emphasized: “Today, young people are not merely beneficiaries of this campaign—you are active partners and future leaders for digital safety. The digital world offers unprecedented opportunities. You can explore and access abundant knowledge resources. You can connect with people across the globe. You can showcase your creativity and share it with millions of social media users. However, alongside these opportunities, internet technology also presents risks that demand careful attention. Creating a safer digital environment requires multi-stakeholder action.”
H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Chairman of NCCT, stated: “Internet users, especially children and youth, must be empowered to keep themselves and others safe online. We encourage all stakeholders to participate in education and awareness-raising in schools and communities to create a safer digital environment for all users.”
PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT
The 2026 campaign received generous support from CBRD Fund, Smart Axiata, Mission Alliance, Bread for the World, ChildFund Cambodia, Hagar, AusCam, Marici, and Mlop Tapang. Their partnership demonstrates that protecting children online requires collaboration across all sectors.