Online safety
The internet is useful and simple to access but it's also easy to forget common sense safety.
Whenever you're online:
- never give out personal details, photographs, or information that could be used to identify you, your family, or where you live
- remember everyone you meet online is a stranger, even if they act like a friend
- never arrange to meet someone you've only met online, without giving the details to a friend
- don't open an attachment or download a file unless you know and trust the person who has sent it
- never respond directly to anything you find disturbing when using the internet or email – log off and report it
Further information and advice
The websites below can help you stay safe online.
| Website | Helpful for | How it can help |
|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK: child safety online | Parents and carers | A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media. |
| UK Safer Internet Centre | Young people, parents, carers and teachers | Advice and resources for staying safe online and making the most of opportunities that the internet provides. |
| Think U Know | Children, young people, parents and teachers | Online safety information for children aged 5 to 7, 8 to 10, 11 to 13, and 14 and over. |
| CEOP Safety Centre | Children, young people and parents | CEOP - the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre - helps young people who've been approached online about sex or are suffering sexual abuse. |
| CEOP Report | Anyone | If someone is making you feel uncomfortable about sex you should report to CEOP. |
| Get Safe Online | Individuals and businesses | Free advice and information to help you protect yourself against internet threats. |
| Get Safe Online: check a website | Individuals and businesses | Checks whether a website is likely to be legitimate or a scam before you visit it. |
Stranger danger online
Gable Hall secondary school pupils have made a short film to increase awareness of the need to stay safe online. All young people and their parents can benefit from seeing it.
Watch eSafety on Vimeo.com.