How to keep yourself safe while online

Now more than ever it is important to ensure that you are interacting safely online.  

Here are some ideas to help with your safety:  

• Always, always, always speak to someone if you feel that you are being spoken to online in a manner that is disrespectful or causing distress, please do seek out help if this happens to you. If you feel it is impacting your mental health, then it is vital to get help.   

• Sometimes people might post things online that you find upsetting or disturbing. If you’ve seen something you’re worried about, you don’t have to cope alone. It can help to: Report it to the platform or website, especially if it involves violence or abuse. Avoid sharing or commenting on it, even if you want to say you disagree. Talk about what you’ve seen with an adult you trust. Remember, not everything you see online will be real. But if you’re not sure, it’s always okay to ask for support.  

• Try posting positive comments to others and not responding to negative comments. Blocking and reporting bullying or abuse when you see it can help you to feel better.  

If you want to learn more about how you can stay safe, please reach out to your school’s key leads to seek help and support. Remember, you matter and those around you care and want to keep you safe.