Online safety

General advice for online safety

As we spend more time online it’s important to be aware of the new dangers the internet can make us vulnerable to.

Don’t post any personal information online – like your home address, email address or mobile number

Be careful when posting pictures or videos of yourself. Even when you delete a photo from a personal account you own there is no guarantee that it has disappeared from everywhere on the internet.

Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Speak to your parent or carer about people who are pushy about meeting you.

Keep your privacy settings as high as possible so that strangers can't see sensitive information about you.

If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or worried, you can always block the person or account that is troubling you. This will prevent you from seeing their content, and them from seeing yours.
Be aware that not everything you read on the internet is true. You may have heard misinformation referred to as “fake news”.
Some people use the internet to try and recruit vulnerable young people into extremist groups. It's important to be able to spot the warning signs and keep yourself safe.

The UK Safer Internet Centre

This site provides young people with guides to staying safe online and the problems you might face on certain sites. Their social media guides in particular are very useful and can direct you towards the help you may need if you're worried about something that's happened online.

For more resources including information on various online issues and multiple ways to report cyber crimes and harmful content, see the UK Safer Internet Centre website linked below.

UK Safer Internet Centre website

Childnet

Childnet offers support, guidance, and advice on a wide range of online safety issues. You can choose your age range to see advice tailored to you.

Help for 4 - 11 year olds

Help for 11 - 18 year olds

Childline

Childline also has lots of resources aimed at keeping young people safe online. Their resources can help you with a range of topics such as:

Staying safe online
Bullying and cyberbullying
Nudes and sexting
Your digital footprint
Grooming
Mobile phone safety

For helpful information about all these topics and more, visit their website.

Childline's website

NSPCC

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has teamed up with Ambitious about Autism to put together online safety tips, advice, and activities that you can do with your parents.

NSPCC website