A swimming pool safety net system includes a net having a first edge affixable to a side of a swimming pool and a second edge extendable toward a center of the swimming pool. A plurality of actuators are substantially regularly spacing around a periphery of a swimming pool wherein each actuator has an extendable end affixed to the second edge of the net. A controller selectively operates the actuators between a retracted position with the second end of the net proximal to the side of the swimming pool and an extended position with the second end of the net extended toward the center of the swimming pool.