A better internet starts with you!
Safer Internet Day was celebrated around the world on Tuesday 6th February 2018.
The theme is Create, connect and share respect: a better internet starts with you.
Everyone has their part to play in making the internet a better place, including you!
Check out the tips, videos and links below to help you play your part in making the internet a better and safer place.
Use your time wisely online to create, develop and maintain positive and valuable connections with friends, family members, social groups, charitable causes etc.
It can be hard to understand how people are feeling online, often messages can be misinterpreted when you can’t actually see someone face to face. Put yourself in their shoes, listen, don’t judge and reassure. Showing empathy online is really powerful and builds positive relationships. Check out our videos exploring empathy, emotions and how we respond online.
What do your images and videos say about you; are you happy with the story you are telling? How would someone perceive you now and in the future based on your posts and comments? What you share online could be there forever! Ensure you are posting positively and respectfully about yourself and if someone posts something about you that you aren’t happy with, ask them to take it down.
Remember that you are in control of your online activity, it’s not in control of you! Start with updating your privacy settings and ensure that you always keep your personal information safe. Make sure you know how and where to report on social media by following the link to our social media help page.
Don’t be fooled… not everything or everyone online can be trusted. Fake news was last year’s word of the year so it’s certainly something to watch out for and be aware of. Before you believe what you read online think carefully about where it comes from, who’s written it and whether you can find a similar message on other trusted websites. Never agree to meet up with someone you only know online. No matter how friendly they might seem or how well you think you know them, they are still a stranger. Always tell a trusted adult if someone asks you to meet up.
Now you’ve read our top tips, why not fill out our jigsaw puzzle piece with what you’re going to do to make the internet a better place?
These top tips were created around the theme of Digital Friendships for Safer Internet Day 2018. For more tops tips, resources and activities for under 11-19s visit our advice centre.
View our playlist of videos for Safer Internet Day!