National campaign for children’s safety in artificial intelligence age launched in Chisinau

Authorities and partner organizations today launched in Chisinau the national campaign titled, Let’s Use Artificial Intelligence Safely, an initiative aimed at protecting children in the digital environment and promoting the responsible use of AI-based technologies.

At the event, Labour and Social Protection Minister Natalia Plugaru emphasized that the campaign’s message was focused on informing children, supporting parents and teachers and encouraging open family dialogue about digital safety.

“We live in a world where technology advances faster than we manage to understand it, and artificial intelligence has become part of our everyday lives. This is why, we are launching this campaign: because children’s safety is non-negotiable. The concept of safety no longer refers only to physical space, but also to the digital environment, an invisible space yet extremely present in every child’s life. Artificial intelligence is neither good nor bad in itself; everything depends on how we use it. Our responsibility as adults is to provide children not only with access to technology, but also with skills, moral criteria and protection,” said Natalia Plugaru.





The minister presented data from a survey conducted among students of Moldova, according to which 88 per cent of children use artificial intelligence, and more than 60 per cent use it frequently, daily or several times a week. The increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material was also highlighted. In 2025, the SIGUR Online Hotline registered 147 reports of such cases, approximately 40 per cent of them involving AI-generated content.

In the context of launching the campaign, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Research Valentina Olaru stressed that the education system’s response to the challenges generated by artificial intelligence must be based on coherent policies, sustainable measures and evidence-based interventions.

“In recent years, we have strengthened the regulatory and curricular framework, so that schools can systematically develop digital skills and critical thinking, and so that education for online safety is integrated into the educational process. At the same time, we have invested in teachers’ training and built functional inter-institutional partnerships to support schools in developing digital skills. We have adapted educational policies to realities on the ground, so that everyone who interacts with artificial intelligence can cope with current challenges. When it comes to artificial intelligence in relation to children, we are not talking about bans, but about responsible educational integration. Schools must provide clear guidelines on the ethical use of technologies, so that they support learning, stimulate creativity and complement the student’s effort, without replacing independent thinking, discernment and autonomy in learning,” noted the state secretary.





For her part, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization Misele Iliev underlined the importance of strengthening online security mechanisms and modern authentication tools.

“We can no longer treat online safety in a fragmented way. We need a digital shield. The E-Governance Agency is already working on the digital wallet as an additional element for login or authentication on platforms, a solution identified at European level to limit the access of children below the permitted age to social networks,” explained Misele Iliev.

The General Police Inspectorate (IGP) reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime, including cyberbullying and the abusive use of personal data. 

The IGP deputy head, Alexandru Lupan, emphasized the need for vigilance and awareness of online risks, from exposure to inappropriate content to manipulation and disinformation.





The national campaign, Let’s Use Artificial Intelligence Safely, was organized by the International Center La Strada of Moldova, in partnership with the Labour and Social Protection Ministry, Education and Research Ministry, the Economic Development and Digitalization Ministry and the General Police Inspectorate.

The International Center La Strada has been active in Moldova since 2001, being one of the main organizations promoting children’s safety online and combating digital violence. Moldova also marks Safer Internet Day every year, joining the European initiative, Together for a Better Internet.