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Online Safety

The internet is a great way to connect with others and learn new things. It’s important you know how to stay safe and keep others safe online.

Top tips for staying safe online

  • Think about what you share online: check your privacy settings and don’t post personal information with people you don’t know. This includes address, email address and phone number
  • Think before you post: don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your teacher or parents to see. Don’t post anything that will harm or upset someone else
  • Never share or reveal your passwords
  • Be careful who you talk to. Someone might not be who they say they are
  • Friends you make online are still strangers, even if you’ve been talking to them for a long time. Don’t meet up with friends you make online unless you’ve talked it through with an adult you trust first and they can help you stay safe

If something happens online that worries you tell an adult immediately or click here to report your concern to CEOP. See Staying Safe Online.  If it is people you know making nasty comments tell someone you can trust.  No one has the right to hurt you or make you feel bad and you don’t have to put up with it. If you are being bullied tell someone you trust NOW!

More information:

Aged 5-11? Go to the Lurking Trolls website to find out more

Click here to read our latest online-safety newsletter

CEOP’s ThinkUKnow has the latest information you need to keep yourself safe

ChildLine has online safety tips, and information on what to do if you’re being bullied online

See our PSCB pages on radicalisation, exploitation, or bullying for more information on these areas

Cyber or On-Line Bullying

This is when someone or a group upsets or humiliates you using the internet, on-line games, email, apps, social media, or text. It is the same as any other form of bullying but you don’t always know who is doing it.

  • If you get any horrible comments or messages take a screen shot immediately and show it to an adult. It can be hard but the best thing to do is not respond to any nasty comments and if they keep happening take action
  • You can report online bullies by pressing the CEOP button that is on most websites
  • Immediately block anyone who bullies you online. Even if you know the person, if they start being unkind to you then block them and report them to the website
  • Always make sure your profile is safe and you have used the privacy settings so only people you know can see your posts

ChildLine has more information on how to deal with bullying on different social media sites.  You can also find more help on the Anti-Bullying Alliance website.