Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Power Up Online safety
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Overview
Online safety and tech design
The internet has a lot to offer, like access to information, entertainment, and ways to connect with other people. But it also comes with risks. Internet Matters spoke to young people and found that the positives and negatives are growing:
56%
see the internet as important for meeting good friends
up 6% from last year
67%
have experienced harm online
IM Digital Wellbeing Index 2025
Online safety is an important topic affecting young people, and your voice matters in solving online safety challenges. You have the chance to create a tech idea that tackles a key issue, like these:
- Cyberbullying and online hate
- Fake news and misinformation
- Inappropriate content
- Online scams
- Privacy and identity theft
- Screen time
Check out the case studies to learn how others are creating a Safer Online
When you create a tech idea that connects to the internet, you need to think about privacy, security and responsible use from the start. Your app, website or device should protect people, not put them at risk. This approach is called safety by design – building safety features into your idea from the outset, rather than adding them later.
Online safety and the law
UK Online Safety Act (2023)
- Apps and websites must protect children from harmful content like bullying, scams and dangerous challenges.
- Services for kids must check age and make it easy to block or report problems.
- Illegal content (like child abuse or terrorism) must be removed quickly.
- Companies that break these rules can get huge fines.
ICO Children’s Code (UK) and Irish Data Protection Rules
- Privacy settings should be high by default for under-18s.
- Don’t ask for more data than you need.
- Turn off location tracking unless it’s essential.
- Explain safety in clear, child-friendly language.
GDPR principles
- Collect less data – only what you need.
- Get clear permission – users must understand what they agree to.
- Be transparent – explain what you do with data in simple words.
- If your idea uses risky features (like tracking or AI), do a Data Protection Impact Assessment.
Case studies
1. Samsung Kids
| Challenge: | Parents want kids to use tech safely without harmful content or too much screen time. |
| Solution: | Samsung Kids – a safe mode on Galaxy devices. Parents can set time and purchase limits, approve apps and monitor use. Kids get fun, educational content in a bright, simple interface. Safety checks block bad content. It shows that tech can help families feel safe while kids learn and play. |
2. Samsung Smart Call
| Challenge: | A growing number of scams happen over the phone, with callers pretending to be someone else to get money or private information. |
| Solution: | Samsung phones use the Smart Call function to warn you when a known or suspected scam is calling. Then, it gives you options to easily block the call and report it. |
3. Hero Platform, from Cardiff University’s HateLab AI
| Challenge: | Organisations want to identify and address online hate speech and other harm, but hundreds of thousands of posts are made online every minute. |
| Solution: | Hero Platform uses Cardiff University’s HateLab AI to find and classify online harms using context, not just keywords. This means it can even spot hate that’s been misspelled on purpose or hidden in another way. Hero Platform helps users protect online communities and stop hate campaigns before they grow. |
Top tips for designing safe tech
Keep personal info private
Only ask for what you really need. For example, if your app needs a username, don’t ask for someone’s full name, address or phone number.
Get clear permission
If your idea uses a camera, microphone, or location, tell users why and ask if it’s OK. Example:
“We need your location to show nearby events. Is that OK?”
Add safety features
If your idea includes chat, messaging, gaming or sharing photos, add ways to block strangers, report bad behaviour, and control who can see what.
Check for problems
Ask: “Could someone use this in a bad way?” For example, could a chat feature allow bullying? If yes, add ways to stop it.
Protect data with encryption
Encryption scrambles information so only the right person can read it. For example, when someone sends a message, your app should turn it into a secret code before storing or sending it. Most coding platforms have built-in tools for this.
Add two-factor authentication (2FA)
This means users need two steps to log in, like a password plus a code sent to their phone. It makes accounts much harder to hack.
Think about age
If your idea is for young people, make sure it’s suitable. Avoid features that could expose them to harmful content or strangers, like open chat rooms or unfiltered photo sharing.
Explain safety clearly
Tell users what you’ve done to keep them safe. Example:
“Your messages are private – only you and your friends can see them.”
Quick checklist for your idea
- Does your design protect user data?
- Is your language clear about safety features?
- Could someone misuse your idea?
- Have you thought about age?
- Have you added extra security?
Resources to help you
Internet Matters – guides for families and schools
UK Safer Internet Centre – tips and activities for young people
Childline Online Safety – clear advice for staying safe
Career spotlight
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Online safety and me: “Safety isn’t an add-on – it’s part of the design process from day one. When we create services like Samsung Wallet, we think about every way fraud could happen and build protections before launch. One of the biggest challenges? Fraudsters don’t always act straight away – stolen data might sit unused for weeks, so you need systems that anticipate delayed attacks. My tip for students: Always ask, ‘How could someone misuse this?’ and design to prevent it. Safety is about trust – if people don’t feel secure, they won’t use your product. The skills you need? Listening and collaboration. We work closely with banks and partners, sharing insights to build well-rounded solutions. You also need curiosity and critical thinking – imagine the risks before they happen.” |
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