Staying Safe Online

The internet is a fantastic tool that can be used to stay connected with your friends and family, access entertainment, such as videos and online games, and for support with your learning and school work. There are clearly many benefits, but it’s important to also be aware of the risks and to follow the tips listed below to help you stay safe. If you encounter any problems, or are worried about something, remember you can always talk to a trusted adult or use reporting tools to report instances of online abuse, exploitation, or harmful content, both in and outside of school. You can find these tools here.

Top tips for staying safe online

1. Keep it to Yourself – Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number.
2. Think Before You Post – Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore.
3. Stay Private – Keep your privacy settings as high as possible.
4. Protect Your Devices – Never give out your passwords.
5. Stay Alert to Strangers – Don’t befriend people you don’t know. Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Speak to your trusted adult such as your parents, carers or someone in school about people suggesting you do. Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.
6. Think Carefully – Think carefully about what you say before you post something online. Your content could last forever and be publicly shared by others so don’t make statements or comments you could end up regretting. Remember that potential colleges or employers could find you online and form an impression of you.
7. Be Respectful – Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude.
8. Maintain Control – Stay in control of what you share. Do not allow others to use your accounts.