Keeping Safe
The internet is a useful way to access information and to make friends, but how can you keep yourself safe when doing this?
A general rule of thumb is to never give out the following information to people you don’t know:
- Age
- Name
- Address
- Mobile/Phone number
- Where you work or the name of your school
- Pictures of yourself
- Bank details
Remember that if you have online profiles on other sites, (e.g. Bebo), everything that you put up on your profile can be accessed by anyone who is online.
A good way to keep your details safe is to never post them online and set your profile to private.
Also remember what pictures you post of yourself or your friends online - people can recognise your school uniform or places where you hang out from these.
If you aren’t sure who you are talking to, err on the side of caution, don’t give them your details and speak to an adult you trust.
If you choose to meet up with someone that you’ve been talking to online, remember to let people know where you are going and take a friend along with you.
It’s really important to make sure that you’re kept safe, and if you have any concerns, speak to an adult you trust (e.g. parent, teacher or youth worker).