Online Safety

Stay Safe Online at Home

It is more important than ever to take care online.

Right now, safeguarding ourselves, our loved ones, friends and colleagues from COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is uppermost in people’s minds around the world. After all, this is an unprecedented situation which warrants unprecedented precautions.

Also of great importance, however, is making sure we also remain safe in the virtual world during restrictions on travel, socialising, office life and other things we normally take for granted.

Please find on the website below information to take care from Coronavirus related scams and working from home. Also make sure to read through the other areas of this page for more information.

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How to change your privacy settings

It is important that you know how to set controls when it comes to privacy settings on social media!

If you are unsure how to do this click here for a step by step guide.

See below for social media checklists to make sure you know everything you need to know about the privacy settings on these sites.

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How to turn off your location services

If you have an apple device your phone may be tracking and logging where you are without you knowing!

If you would like to protect your privacy and personal security you probably don’t want this information stored where someone can easily find it if they have access to your phone.

How to switch off your location settings:

• Click on the settings icon on your homepage
• Press on privacy
• At the top of the list press location services
• Click on location services at the top of the list so the green icon turns grey, this means the feature has been turned off.

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'Sexting' - What you need to know

Someone taking an indecent image of themselves and sending it to their friends or boy/girlfriends via a mobile or another form of technology can be referred to as ‘sexting’.

Once these images have been taken and sent to others, control is lost of them and they can end up anywhere. They could be seen by friends, family or even a future employer.

If you receive an indecent image or text from someone or know that an indecent image has been posted online, do not send this image on to others. Report it on the website, by visiting their safety centres or report it to a responsible adult.

For more information on the law regarding ‘sexting’ and where can you go for help click here.

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Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbulling?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like mobile phones, computers and electronic devices. It can occur through text, apps, social media or on gaming platforms where people can view, participate in, or share content.

Cyberbullying includes sending, posting or sharing negative, harmful, false or mean content about someone else. It can also include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

The most common places where cyberbullying occurs is on social media.

Where can I go for help?

No one should have to experience cyberbullying and you don’t have to go through it alone. Speak to someone you trust it can be a parent, teacher, friend or pop in to YES @ ‘The Link’.

See below for other agencies websites for advice and support on cyberbullying.

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Top tips to stay safe

Do not post any personal information online – like your address, bank details, address or mobile number

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Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore!

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Keep your privacy settings as high as possible

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Never give out your passwords

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Don’t befriend people you don’t know

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Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.

Online Guide for Internet Safety

If you’re a parent it can sometimes be very difficult to talk to young people about how they are using the internet.

Nowadays everyone has access to the internet in some way or another and we are finding that the ages of young people using it are getting younger, and the frequency of use getting higher.

If you’re a parent, a young person or just someone who is interested in the internet and technology, this guide may be essential reading for you!

Please see the link below to find out more and get learning.

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