Online safety as a team sport: playing your part during Netsafety Week
Netsafety Week 2026 is a reminder that creating safer online environments for young people is a shared responsibility, with everyone in the school community having a role to play.
As classrooms across Aotearoa New Zealand become increasingly digital, supporting ākonga to be safer online is a responsibility shared across the education sector.
Netsafety Week 2026 is from 17 to 23 August and offers a timely focus on what can be achieved through collective action.
The theme this year is ‘online safety is a team sport’. It reflects how schools, whānau, students and technology partners all have a role to play in building a safer digital environment for young people. Online safety means building the skills, confidence and judgement needed to participate positively online, as well as staying safe from online threats.
Netsafe New Zealand and Network for Learning (N4L) are two of the organisations championing online safety in schools year-round, and especially during Netsafety Week.
Netsafe is New Zealand’s independent online safety organisation and a global digital citizenship expert. It provides education, resources, advice and support for people of all ages across schools, homes, workplaces and communities.
N4L provides network infrastructure alongside a suite of safety and security services to schools that help strengthen technical defences from online threats. These protections are a part of school safety, but technology alone cannot address the full range of risks young people face online.
Netsafety Week 2026 is from 17 to 23 August.
Schools also need strong policies, practical education, trusted support, and regular conversations with ākonga and whānau about healthy online habits and digital citizenship.
With a heightened focus on online safety, young people are increasingly stepping up and becoming more engaged in the issues that affect them. Some students are helping others navigate online safety and make the online world a more positive place.
Netsafe supports youth voice through initiatives including the Youth Action Squad and Otago Young Digital Leaders.
A new Generative AI and Young People report from Netsafe, the AI Safety Forum and The Light Project is being released to mark International Youth Day. It explores how young people are using AI, the opportunities they see and the support they need.
A student perspective on digital safety
Elijah, a Year 12 student from Wellington who is passionate about online safety, views it as an essential daily practice.
“Online safety is hugely important,” Elijah says. “Nearly everyone’s daily life includes some form of digital influence, so for students, practising good digital safety is vital.”
Elijah sees Netsafety Week as a chance for schools to reset and discuss their digital safety habits openly.
“Netsafety Week is a great opportunity to remind students, staff and whānau about staying safe online,” he notes. “Having good online safety practices is important for teachers, students, parents everyone really.”
Maia, a Netsafe Otago Young Digital Leader echoes this, saying playing your part is about how you show up online every day.
“You can’t expect your feed to be a safe place if you’re bringing negative energy, sharing private information or acting differently behind a screen. How you behave online reflects who you are, and being trustworthy helps make the internet safer for everyone.”
Practical steps
Building robust digital defences does not require an immediate, complex overhaul. Taking small, structured steps can significantly improve a school’s overall digital safety over time.
When you have strong policies and guidelines about online safety in your school or kura, it is easier to make decisions about the tools, settings and responses you will use.
These policies help school boards and leaders navigate issues such as web filtering, strong passwords, sharing personal information online, device use and supporting ākonga when harm occurs. It is also important that learners and their whānau understand how to navigate the online world safely.
Easy-to-access resources, regular conversations about online behaviour and opportunities to develop critical thinking all help build a culture of positive digital citizenship.
Netsafe’s Kete is a free educator platform with digital safety content for schools. It includes frameworks, guidelines, templates, lesson ideas, advice and downloadable tools to support positive digital citizenship across the school community.
Utilise N4L safety tools
Technical safeguards can help catch cyber threats before they reach the classroom. Schools should check they are using N4L’s Internet Safety & Security Services with the recommended settings. Web Filtering helps block inappropriate websites, apps and internet categories, while SafeSearch helps filter inappropriate search results to support safer browsing across the school network.
Schools can use MyN4L’s self-service tools to request changes to their web filtering settings and view browsing activity across the school network.
Some students are helping others navigate online safety and make the online world a more positive place.
Working together for ākonga
Maintaining online safety is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort from all parts of the school community.
Technical protections reduce risks across school networks, while Netsafe’s education, resources and support help schools, ākonga and whānau build the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the wider online environment.
By combining secure infrastructure with strong policies, practical digital citizenship education and regular, open conversations, schools can create safer digital environments where learning can thrive.
To learn more about Netsafe’s free education services, contact them.
Email: [email protected]
If schools need help with from N4L with online safety, they can contact N4L’s Customer Support team.
Email: [email protected]
Freephone: 0800 532 764 (NZ only)
More information about online safety can also be found on N4L's website.
Netsafe resources and support
Netsafe’s Kete provides free resources, frameworks, lesson ideas and downloadable tools to promote positive digital citizenship and better online safety.
For Netsafety Week, schools can also access a free resource pack with classroom activities, videos and resources, plus a public webinar series featuring New Zealand and international experts.
More information is on Netsafe's website.
Netsafe is also asking schools, kura, educators and whānau to complete its School Communities Survey before 14 August. Feedback will shape future resources, and a respondents will go in the draw to win one of two $500 Prezzy Cards.
Tell Netsafe what you need
School guidance counsellors play an important role in responding to online harm. Netsafe is piloting a Supporting Young People with Online Harm e-learning module, aiming to reach 1,000 participants by October. The free, self-paced course takes around an hour and includes a certificate of completion.
Pastoral care staff and school counsellors are also invited to join co-design workshops. Contact Netsafe for more information.
Email: [email protected]
