Being safe online

There are lots of ways to be with others, but it’s always good to be safe. Making friends with people online can be brilliant, as long as you’re careful.
Look below for tips on staying safe online.
We got these tips from two places. For more information click on Childline and BBC
The tips
- Don’t tell people how to find you: Don’t tell anyone online your address, email address or mobile number.
- Be careful sharing pictures: 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.
- Stay secret: Keep your privacy settings as high as possible. This means doing things like stopping just anyone from being able to see your profile or contact you.
- I meant it. Stay secret: Never give out your passwords.
- Know who your friends are: Don’t befriend people you don’t know.
- Don’t meet people you don’t know: Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Speak to your parent or carer if anyone wants to. Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.
- Think before you post: Think carefully about what you say before you post something online. Once something is posted online, you often can’t take it back.
- Be nice: Even if you don’t agree with someone else doesn’t mean you need to be rude.
- Tell someone: If you see something online that makes you feel unsafe or worried, leave the website. Even turn off your computer if you want to and then talk to a trusted adult right away.
Look after your connectedness and it’ll look after you. Now, let's look at hope.