Important for or Important to?

Difference Between 'Important for' and 'Important to'

Both 'important for' and 'important to' are correct. In many contexts, you can use for and to interchangeably after important. However, there is a difference between 'important for' and 'important to' in certain contexts, which can change the meaning of a sentence slightly. You must decide on the preposition after 'important'- for/to based on why and how one feels something or somebody important.

Important for

Use 'important for' when you need something for your own good. It affects you directly. You are the receiver of the action. If X is important for Y, Y will face a problem without X.

I think education is important for my children. 

Not I think education is important to my children. 

Oxygen is important for our breathing.

Not Oxygen is important to our breathing.

Important to

Use 'important to' when you value something. It affects you indirectly. You are not the receiver of the action. 

My children's education is important to me.

Not My children's education is important for me.

It's important to me that my child breathes fresh air.

Not It's important for me that my child breathes fresh air.