Keeping safe online
While being online can bring a world of opportunities, we know that unfortunately young people don’t always have positive experiences there. Bullying, mean comments and toxic feeds can make being online difficult. Here are some top tips you can do to help make it more positive.
Top tips
- Use strong passwords and don’t share them with others:
Imagine your password is your toothbrush – don’t share it with others and change it regularly. - Use privacy settings:
Be careful who you add online and set your social media or gaming accounts to private. - Control your experience:
Block, mute or report posts or accounts that you find upsetting. Don’t compare yourself to others online. Take back control and surround yourself with positivity; look critically at the accounts you follow and remind yourself of the reason why you’re following them – do they make you laugh? Do you learn from them? Are they a role model? If you notice yourself feeling sad after spending time online, consider unfollowing influencers or accounts who bring you down or make you feel bad about yourself. - Use digital wellbeing controls:
There are timers and controls that allow you to keep track of your time online. Use these to stay mindful and intentional about the time you spend online. Balance time spent online with other things in the real world that make you happy, like watching a favourite series, listening to music, meeting a friend or reading a book. - Stop, Think, Check:
Often, things we see online are designed to trigger an instant reaction. Try to slow down when you engage with content online. Stop before you take an action, like sharing a post or buying something. Think about whether what you’re seeing is accurate, or if you need more information before sharing or commenting. Remember to always check what you see online to make sure you’re not being misled. - Spot it, Flag it, Stop it:
For a better internet, please report harmful or illegal content to the platform where you first saw it. All of us have a role to play in making safer and more positive online spaces. - Think before you post and be kind online:
While it’s ok to respectfully disagree with others on the internet, it’s always important to be kind, just like in real life. Remember that whatever you say, post or comment online, there is always a real person at the other end.