Staying Safe Online

In today’s online world most of us are ‘connected’ via our laptops, mobile phones, tablets or personal computers. There is a huge potential for the internet to be used as valuable and a fun resource for entertainment, making friends, keeping in touch and learning. If you use the internet, you could be at risk of illegal activity or abuse, this could be bullying, fraud or something more serious. It is possible to hide identities on the internet, it can be an anonymous medium, unlike seeing someone face to face, on the net, people aren’t necessarily always are what they first seem to be.

In the same way you learn about safety when you leave the house, it is important to learn how to stay safe online. These are skills that will stay with you for life, here’s some guidelines to staying safe you should follow:

  • Don’t give out personal information such as your address or phone number.
  • Don’t send pictures of yourself to anyone, especially indecent pictures.
  • Don’t open emails or attachments from people you don’t know.
  • Don’t become online ‘friends’ with people you don’t know.
  • Never arrange to meet someone in person who you’ve met online.
  • If anything you see or read online worries you, tell someone about it.

The internet can be safe for everyone, just a little common sense, awareness,  and care can keep you safe.

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