Staying Safe Online
Being online can be a brilliant place to keep in touch with friends, be creative and discover new things.
Most people use the internet daily for things like going on social media, game, watch videos, work and study.
Talking to people online that you know 'offline' is something many people do, people that you don't know can also use social media and follow you.
As brilliant as the internet is, it can be used by those who want to cause harm to a child. So you may find it useful to read through the information on this page to help keep yourself and your friends safe online.
Top Tips
The UK Safer Internet Centre has put together a list of top tips which you can use to help keep safe online.
11 - 19 year olds
Protect your online reputation
Use the services provided to manage your digital footprints and ‘think before you post.’ Content posted online can last forever and could be shared publicly by anyone.
Know where to find help
Understand how to report to service providers and use blocking and deleting tools. If something happens that upsets you online, it’s never too late to tell someone.
Don't give in to pressure
Keep calm and keep in control; once you’ve pressed send you can’t take it back.
Respect the law
Use reliable services and know how to legally access the music, film and TV you want.
Acknowledge your sources
Use trustworthy content and remember to give credit when using others’ work/ideas.
Under 11s
Safe
Keep safe by being careful not to give out personal information when you’re chatting or posting online. Personal information includes your email address, phone number and password.
Meet
Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. Only do so with your parents’ or carers’ permission and even then only when they can be present. Remember online friends are still strangers even if you have been talking to them for a long time.
Accepting
Accepting emails, messages, or opening files, images or texts from people you don’t know or trust can lead to problems — they may contain viruses or nasty messages!
Reliable
Someone online might lie about who they are and information on the internet may not be true. Always check information.
Tell
Tell a parent, carer or a trusted adult if someone, or something, makes you feel uncomfortable or worried, or if you or someone you know is being bullied online..
How can I report something which upsets me online?
Seeing something online that upsets you is called harmful content. Harmful content is anything online which causes somebody to feel distress or harm and can include online abuse, bullying or harassment, threats, pretending to be somebody else (impersonation), unwanted sexual advances, violent content, self-harm or suicide content, pornographic content.
Visit Report Harmful Content to report harmful content and for advice on what to do next.
If you’re under 18 and a nude imagine or video of you has been shared online, you can report it and get it removed from the internet. Childline has a Report Remove Tool, to use it you’ll need to:
- Select your age and follow the steps below
- Create a Childline account so we can send you updates on your report
- Report your image or video to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
- Check your Childline locker for a few days after your report to see if you need to add any more information and to see updates on your report
Visit the Report Remove Tool page on Childline for further information and to use the tool.
Where can I go for further help and information?
If you are worried about yourself or a friend and think you may need help from a service in Wakefield please visit our Worried About a Child page.
There are a number of specialist organisations when it comes to keeping safe online, below is a selection you can visit for further information:
UK Safer Internet Centre has information for under 19s about staying safe online, safety tools on social networks, guides to technology and resources.
Thinkuknow has helpful advice and information for children aged 4 - 14 + to keep safe online. They have a host of guides, videos, films and games which can increase your knowledge on what to look out for.
The website is based on the three-episode Jessie & Friends animated series, which aims to equip 4-7 year olds with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to stay safer online.
It is intended to be used by young children alongside their parents and carers, or within education settings as a learning tool.
This website gives information, advice and support to help parents/carers keep their children safe online
This is a family's guide to a smart life with tech, and helps them to enjoy a happier, safer digital life. The guide covers topics such as what are kids talking about, safety measures, and how to be an ally online plus much more.
