We all need to use the internet for school work, to help us in our day-to-day lives and of course for fun. However, we must all be careful to use the internet and technology wisely and keep ourselves safe.
The number one thing to remember if anything at all is worrying you online or on your phone is to tell a trusted adult like a parent or teacher – don’t be afraid or embarrassed, tell someone straight away.
Here are a few more of the most important things to keep in mind when you use the internet and your mobile phone.
Staying safe online
- Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number
- Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online people can see it and download it, it’s not just yours anymore
- Keep your privacy settings as high as possible
- Never give out your passwords
- Don’t befriend people you don’t know
- Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Speak to a trusted adult about people suggesting you do
- Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are
- Think carefully about what you say before you post something online
- Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude
- If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, and tell a trusted adult immediately
Staying safe on your mobile
- Don’t reply to any nasty messages you receive – tell an adult about them instead
- Don’t reply to a text from someone you don’t know
- Keep the messages you have been sent so you can show them to a trusted adult and make a note of the time and date of the
- messages or calls you receive
- Don’t answer calls from withheld numbers or numbers you don’t recognise, let it go to voicemail
- Don’t give your mobile number to someone you don’t know
- Don’t send pictures to someone you don’t know and be very careful about sending pictures to anyone on your phone
What to do if you are being bullied online
- Tell an adult you trust if you are being cyberbullied
- Don’t respond or retaliate to bullying messages – it could make things worse
- Block users who send you nasty messages
- Save abusive emails or messages (or texts) you receive and show an adult
- Don’t pass on any cyberbullying videos or messages – this is cyberbullying
- You can talk to someone at ChildLine or get online safety advice at www.childline.org.uk/talk/Pages/Talk
