In today's digital age, it's crucial for both young people and adults to understand how to stay safe online! As adults, we are tasked with teaching vulnerable people how to keep themselves physically safe and mentally well when using the internet.
It can be quite hard to keep up to date with all the safety advice available, and it is also important to remember that being a role model, along with open communication, are two of the easiest ways of teaching internet safety to young people.
1. Keep personal information private: Personal information, such as your full name, address, phone number, and date of birth, should be kept confidential. Don't share this information on social media, and be mindful of the information and images you post; thieves are ever watchful on social media, looking for potential holiday dates and other times your home could be empty, images related to expensive purchases like large TVs or gaming equipment.
2. Phishing: Be cautious of clicking on links: Malicious links can contain viruses or take you to a website that can steal your personal information. Before clicking on a link, consider the source and make sure it looks trustworthy.
3. Use strong passwords: Make sure to use different passwords for different accounts to keep your information secure. Strong passwords are made up of a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols; avoid using important dates and family members' names, including pet names!
4. Don’t give out passwords: Your passwords are the key to accessing your online accounts and personal information. Don't share them with anyone, including online friends.
5. Report behaviour: Social media platforms, forums, and other places on the internet people gather generally have either a report function or a moderation facility, we would encourage you to use this as and when you come across inappropriate content or discussions. Please remember that you can report to CEOP, or the NSPCC if you are worried about something involving a child, or if you feel you are in physical danger then please dial 999.
6. Be mindful of what you post: Remember that anything you post online could be seen by many people, including family, friends, and future employers. Don't post anything you wouldn't want the whole world to see, for years to come. Also, remember that there is nothing stopping people from taking screenshots of private conversations and sharing them online.
7. Be respectful and responsible: Misunderstandings happen, so take the time to ensure your online communications cannot be misinterpreted easily. It's important to be respectful and responsible in your online interactions. Avoid using language that could be considered hurtful or offensive.
8. Limit screen time: It may seem an odd thing to suggest to an adult, but screens are addictive. You can lose a lot of time scrolling Instagram and TikToc can completely by accident. There is a lot of evidence that spending too much time on the internet can be harmful to your physical and mental health.
9. “A lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots” Mark Twain showed incredible foresight in this quote, considering he died in 1910! The amount of disinformation, half-truths and complete nonsense that is spread quickly around the internet is astounding; remember to check the information against trusted sources before sharing.
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