78% of Teenagers Have Already Faced Online Risks: How Ukraine Participates in the EU’s Safer Internet Day Initiative
Most Ukrainian teenagers and more than two-thirds of adults have already experienced at least one data security-related incident, according to the 2025 Digital and AI Literacy Study.
The data also highlight an important difference: people with advanced digital skills use multiple protection measures at once complex unique passwords, two-factor authentication, and source/message verification. The higher the skills, the more layers of protection they implement.
This is why Safer Internet Day a global initiative launched by the European Union and supported in over 160+ countries focuses not only on discussing risks but also on fostering a culture of safe online behavior. Ukraine joins this initiative by providing practical tools for its citizens.
“23% of Ukrainians have already encountered cyberattacks involving artificial intelligence technologies, and 35% of adults reported receiving incorrect or fabricated responses from such systems. This indicates that digital risks are evolving faster than protective habits are being formed.”
That is why we align national approaches with European principles from preventive education to practical skills training. On Diia.Osvita, users can not only learn about risks but also practice safe behavior in a secure environment through simulators and tests without any real threat to their data or funds,” says Yaroslava Dyo, Head of the Expert Group at the Directorate for Digital Skills Development and Digital Education of the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
For Safer Internet Day, the Diia.Osvita platform launched a dedicated section:
osvita.diia.gov.ua/safer-internet
It offers practical tools that can be used immediately:
- Educational series on personal cybersecurity and phishing protection
- Simulators of online fraud scenarios with recommendations for children and parents
- Tests to assess personal digital habits
The key activation for Safer Internet Day is the interactive quest “Hyena Hygiene and NetScare”, featuring characters from the nationwide cyber-hygiene campaign of November–December 2025 Hyena Hygiene and CyberSoap. Over two months, the campaign reached more than 4.1 million users.
The quest simulates 14 typical online situations from fake job offers to deepfake requests for help allowing participants to safely practice the correct actions.
After completing the quest, participants receive a personalized result and a certificate. Those scoring over 70 out of 140 points automatically enter a draw for branded Diia.Osvita merchandise. The campaign runs from February 10 to March 10.
In a digital state, online safety is a fundamental skill.
You can check your own protection level and practice safe action algorithms today on Diia.Osvita. The Safer Internet Day materials were created based on the Diia.Osvita cyber-hygiene campaign, implemented by ISD Group with support from the USA Project “Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity of Ukraine.” The materials do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government.
