Youth Matters Website




Streetwise online?

 

You’re ten times more likely to switch on your computer than your telly these days and the top three reasons you go online is to do searches, email or chat.

 

So with online use increasing in every household across Thanet, using your computer is fast becoming a daily habit just like brushing your teeth or texting your mates.  And just like in the real world, going online does have its risks.  From online bullies, adult only websites to cyber predators – you’ve really got to be streetwise when using the web.

 

To keep you streetwise online, we’ve put together a few simple online do’s and don’ts:

Do's

  • Do: Talk to parents or an adult about your favourite sites and get them involved in your online use.
  • Do: Tell someone you trust, if you have any concerns about your online use or chat.
  • Do: Use your computer in a public space – it’s much safer to go online in your living room/kitchen especially so if you use a webcam.
  • Do: Remember that people you meet on the Internet may not be who they say they are.
  • Do: Remember anything that you post is likely to be visible to the world – don’t give out any personal information such as your phone number, school or home address.
  • Do: Select ‘privacy settings’ to limit who and how much information others can see, many social networking sites have a “no pic forwarding” option on settings.

Dont's

  • Don’t: Continue any online conversations that make you feel uncomfortable or suspicious - if something doesn’t feel right – then it probably isn’t.
  • Don’t: Put any photos of yourself online that you wouldn’t want your mum or dad to see.
  • Don’t: Agree to meet anyone you only know via the Internet – no matter how nice they seem to be.
  • Don’t: Use your real name in chat rooms - pick a nickname just to use online.
  • Don’t: Keep any worries to yourself about approaches to you or conversations you’ve had online. Talk to your parents or an adult you trust.
  • Don’t: Accept strangers who contact your online profile as friends, say NO or just ignore them.
  • Don’t be tempted to say YES.
  • Don’t: Agree if someone suggests keeping your chats a secret - tell your parents or a trusted adult.

Remember!

If you ever want to talk to someone, find an adult that you trust to talk to or call Childline in confidence on 0800 1111 or the Samaritans on 08457 909090.

 

Good websites to visit with loads more advice are www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ or www.ceop.gov.uk/.