Always be careful when you are using the internet. It can help you to keep in touch with your friends and help your education – but it can also cause harm – to you and to others.

Remember help is always available at school if you are having any problems online.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your teacher or another adult at school.

If you or anyone you know is worried about Child Exploitation, Online Protection or anything related to Internet safety please click the link below which will take you to the CEOP reporting website:

Tips for staying safe online:

• Make sure you keep new online friends strictly online. If someone you don't know asks to be your online friend you must ensure an adult knows about it.

• Know how to use the CEOP Button and how to report it to the CEOP Centre if you are concerned about someone’s online behaviour towards you.

Staying safe online

As technology improves, there are lots of exciting opportunities, but of course risks too. Educating yourself, keeping up to date on security and staying aware of privacy issues can help you keep clear of online exploitation, abuse or bullying. Some of the risky things you may come across online are:

• Bullying by peers and people you might consider 'friends'
• Seeing inappropriate or harmful content (e.g. rude or extremely violent pictures)Involvement in illegal or inappropriate content (e.g. posting sexual pictures)
• Posting personal information that can identify and locate you offline
• Being persuaded to do illegal or inappropriate things through contact with strangers
• Seeing information and talking with others online who encourage self-harm
• Seeing racist or hate material
• Glorifying activities such as drug use or excessive drinking
• Physical harm to young people in making video content, such as doing stunts and other risky activities
• Being encouraged to leave or run away from home by someone you met online

Resources and more information:

Find out how to keep yourself safe online - Tips and tricks from Think U Know

Online and mobile safety advice - Advice including privacy, online gaming, cyberbullying from Childline

Marie Collins Foundation Steering clear of Indecent Images of Children – helping young men to stay safe online - This campaign aims to protect victims from online sexual abuse by guiding young men away from illegal content and driving awareness of the law so they can navigate their online environment safely and legally.
 

Online gaming

Remember: your online friends are not the same as your real ones. 

Criminals are increasingly targeting children and young people via online gaming sites, pretending to be someone who they are not. This can often lead to bullying, grooming and sexual exploitation.

Online games like Fortnite and Roblox can let you play with your friends and strangers from around the world. But playing with people online can also be risky. 

Resources for keeping safe online

Childline - has tips to keep safe while playing online.

ThinkUKnow - Online gaming: tips for playing safe

Safe Date website – advice on healthy relationships

What child sexual exploitation means – video made by teenagers

‘Interview’ , ‘Superficial’ , ‘Happened’ – videos highlighting the harm that viewing indecent images of children can cause