How to keep yourself safe online

Navigating life as a teenager can be hard going, life was slightly different when your parents were young.

If you are concerned around your safety, in the first instance to speak to someone you can trust. There is great support out there so if you are feeling unsafe be it online or at school, reach out to Childline on 0800 1111 it is for free, confidential, and there for any worry you may have.

In this blog we will focus on how to keep yourself safe online

Think before you post

Don’t upload or share anything you wouldn’t want your parents, carers, teachers or future employers seeing. Once you post something, you lose control of it, especially if someone else screenshots or shares it.

Don’t share personal details

Keep things like your address, phone number, full name, school and date of birth private, and check what people can see in your privacy settings. Remember that people can use small clues like a school logo in a photo to find out a lot about you.

Watch out for phishing and scams

Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them information, like your password. Never click links from emails or messages that ask you to log in or share your details, even if you think they might be genuine. If you’re asked to log into a website, go to the app or site directly instead.

Think about who you’re talking to

There are lots of ways that people try to trick you into trusting them online. Even if you like and trust someone you’ve met online, never share personal information with them like your address, full name, or where you go to school.

Keep your device secure

Make sure that you’re keeping your information and device secure.

Never give out your password

You should never give out your password or log-in information. Make sure you pick a strong one that’s not easy to guess.

Cover your camera

Some viruses will let someone access your camera without you knowing, so make sure you cover your camera whenever you’re not using it.