Confetti supports Safer Internet Day

Tuesday 9 February brings us Safer Internet Day, here are some tips for our students to help keep safe online.

Safer internet day aims to make the internet a safer and better place for all, especially young people. From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day raises awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns.

During the pandemic you will be spending more time at home and likely more time online. With this increased time online keeping yourself safe online is important as ever. Check out some online safety tips from UNICEF.

• It’s important to check your privacy settings on ALL of your social media accounts and know how to set your accounts to private or to friends online. Each social media platform will have helpful guides on how to do this.

 

• Make sure that when you are using any applications that use video, your location cannot be identified.

 

• When you step away from the camera for any reason, the video may still be on and recording. It is okay to cover the camera when not using it. ALWAYS ensure that the video is turned off at the end of a session. Think about what other people can see when the video is on.

 

• Be extra careful of how you treat and communicate with your friends online during this time. Think about how your posts, comments, likes and shares might affect those who see them.

 

• Remember that not everyone online who wants to talk to you has the same reason as you for wanting to chat. If you are in any doubt, block the person and speak to a trusted adult about your concerns.

 

• You may receive unwanted messages, photos and videos, including some with sexual content. You can delete what you receive. You can block the sender and report them. You may also be asked or pressured to share images of yourself by people you know and by strangers.

 

• Think about what you share – you cannot control what happens to your image once you have sent it. And remember – it is not okay to share other people’s private images.

 

• If anyone online asks you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable in any way at all, end the conversation immediately and block the person. If you do something that you realise was not a good idea, or that you regret doing, speak to an adult about it, someone you know and trust, as soon as possible. It is never too late to ask for help.

 

• Remember that it is important to take breaks from being online, spend time doing other things. At night, think about turning off your notifications and placing your devices away from where you sleep so you can get some rest.

If you are at serious and immediate risk of harm get yourself out of the situation and contact the police by calling 999.

For more information, please visit the Safer Internet Day website below.

For the latest updates and advice, please visit our News page.