🚀 A Joyful Internet is a Safer Internet 🌍💛

The internet should be a space where we connect, grow, learn, and build—where we show up authentically, try new things, and thrive. But for too many, the online world is filled with harm, bias, and exclusion. A safer internet isn’t just about protecting people from harm—it’s about creating spaces of joy, belonging, and possibility.

A safe internet is a joyful internet. It’s one where youth feel seen and heard, where communities can heal and dream, where social media fosters well-being instead of stress. Imagine an internet designed for joy and care—where content uplifts, where AI supports mental health, where people feel empowered, not policed.

So, how do we get there? A Joy Plan. Just like we create routines for our well-being, we can craft digital spaces that center compassion, community, and care. A Joy Plan means making tech intentional—designing platforms that celebrate culture, prioritize mental health, and ensure safety without surveillance.

At SAFELab at UPenn, we’re committed to building a safer, more joyful internet. We’re using AI, research, and youth partnerships to reimagine online spaces that honor and protect those most impacted by digital harm. Because joy isn’t just an emotion—it’s a foundation for a healthier, safer, thriving digital future.