The internet is a big part of our lives. Whether you’re listening to music, chatting with mates or scrolling TikTok, we’re all hardly ever offline. And because of this, staying safe online is so important.
Lots of people, gangs and groups know the power of the internet and use it as a way to groom, radicalise, sexual abuse, bully and commit crimes.
It’s also really important to be aware of your digital footprint. This is all the data and information you leave behind when you use the internet or an app – even if you think you don’t. Things like tagged photos, likes on Instagram, your browsing history, games you’ve played, things you’ve bought – they can all be traced back to you.
Here we’ll show you how to keep things private and stay safe online.
Grooming is when someone starts a relationship and builds trust with someone so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them. Grooming can be used for lots of different reasons like using someone for sex or sexual exploitation, crime or radicalisation. Sexual exploitation and some types of radicalisation are a crime.
Grooming may happen in exchange for presents, money, alcohol or emotional attention. It can happen to young people from all different backgrounds and communities, all over the UK.
Remember, when you share something online, even in a private message – like a nude photo – you lose control of it and can never get it back.
Grooming is never your fault.
Liking a mean post on Facebook or sharing an inappropriate photo of another young person over WhatsApp may feel pretty harmless. You’re not physically hurting anyone, right? But this is a form of cybercrime and bullying and, if seen as threatening, can be considered harassment and get you into trouble with the law. Everyone deserves respect and everyone should feel safe online.
You may feel that words on screen aren’t that big of a deal, but with the risk of causing someone to self harm or even take their own life, it’s never worth it.
Bullying is not a crime specifically, but can be covered under other legislation such as protection from harassment and malicious communications.
What does it mean for me?
If your online activity gets reported, the police may look at the content and messages you’ve been writing or sharing. They’ll then decide if anything criminal has taken place.
You may have to make an apology to the person you hurt, and in more serious cases you could be arrested.
If you get caught up in bullying, your friends may not want to hang around you anymore. Why would they risk spending time with someone who could start bullying them?
Having to explain to your parents and grandparents that you’ve been bullying someone online is going to be really hurtful for everyone involved.
Getting in trouble with the law can affect your job opportunities in the future, as employers may be less likely to hire someone with a criminal record.
You may be stopped from travelling and going on holiday as countries like the USA and Canada may not allow someone with a criminal record to enter.
Cybercrime is a crime that’s carried out online using computers, laptops, phones, gaming consoles, phones and tablets. Cyber criminals look for weaknesses in technology and other people so they can steal passwords, data, or money.
Anyone, no matter their age, can be a victim. There are things that can make someone more vulnerable though:
Their age
Their faith
Their sexuality
Having mental health issues
Being shy
Feeling angry
Feeling under threat
Seeking identity, meaning and belonging
Looking for excitement or adventure
Whatever the situation or worry, the police will help you.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please dial 999.
If there’s no immediate risk to life or property then call them on 101.
There’s also plenty of other people out there to help and support you
We all love social media. We use it every day and barely give it a second thought. After all, it’s just hanging out with your mates and sharing stuff, right? True. But there’s a lot of nasty stuff on social media and it’s important to stay safe and keep your accounts private.
How do I stay safe using social media?
Keep it private
You don’t want any stranger or random person to be able to see your photos and videos, you never know what they may do with them. Take a look at your privacy settings and make them ‘Friends Only’ to keep things as secure as possible.
Only ‘friend’ your friends
Only friend people online that you know in real life. Random people and strangers that you friend online may not be who they say they are, but they’ll have access to all the information and photos you share.
Delete. Block. Report
Know how to delete content you’ve posted should you need to, and be confident in clicking the ‘report’ button on other people’s stuff too. Blocking someone gives you a level of control if you’re uncomfortable with how a friend is acting online. And you should deactivate your account if you stop using a social media site.
Gaming
Love playing FIFA or maybe you’re more of a Fortnite fan? Whatever you prefer, there’s no doubt gaming is a fun way to spend some time and hang out with your mates. But it doesn’t come without risks and dangers. From bullying and grooming to viruses and scams, it’s important to stay safe while playing.
How do I stay safe gaming?
The main things to remember are to:
Be respectful of other people, whether you know them in real life or not.
Keep your personal information private.
Play fair and stick to the game’s rules.
Choose a safe username and password
Make sure your nickname does not include your:
Full name
School’s or college’s name
Date of birth
Address or area you live
Mobile number
When choosing a profile picture, go for something that doesn’t show your face, or give any clues as to who you are and where you are (like your school logo or street name).
When choosing a password, make sure it’s strong and not easy to guess.
Think about what you share
Chatting to other gamers can also be fun, and you’ll often talk with people you’ve never met in real life. Spending more and more time with them, gaming and chatting can make you feel like you know them, but they may not be who they say they are. Don’t share details like your address, phone number or school with anybody you don’t know in real life.
Sometimes people may ask for sexual pictures or nudes, and they’ll ask you to keep it a secret or give you gifts and compliments. This is called grooming. It’s not your fault and there are ways to get help with this.
Be strict with your privacy settings
Every game and console is different, so have a good check and make sure your privacy settings are the highest they can be.
Take lots of breaks
If you’re getting angry or frustrated at the game or people you’re playing against, feel tired or hungry, or are ignoring things you need to do – like homework – it’s time to take a break. You don’t have to stop playing for ages, just a quick break will help you feel healthier and happier.
Watch for loot boxes and in-app purchases
Lots of games are free to play at the start, but they make their money by getting you to buy things – like new skins, items and lives. Before you make any in-app purchases check whether it’ll cost real-world money. Ask the person who’ll be paying before you click ‘buy’. Keep track of what you’re spending so it doesn’t start adding up to a huge amount, and only buy something from the game’s official app or website.
Be careful of downloads
Downloads aren’t always safe. If they’re from unofficial websites they can contain viruses that could cause damage to your computer or mobile. They could also give hackers access to your personal information. Always use your phone’s app store or the game’s official website to download anything.
‘Sexting’ is sharing sexual images (including texts), photos or videos with another person.
THE FACTS ABOUT SEXTING
KNOW THE LAW: The law is clear – taking or sharing photos of videos of under 18s (this includes yourself) is illegal.
If you are considering sending a nude image to someone make sure you trust them and are aware of the risks below:
Remember the law is there to protect you – the age is 18 for a reason.
Once you click send, you have no control over how that image is being used.
At best, this can leave you feeling worried and embarrassed.
At worst, you might get unwanted attention, and find that some people use these images to bully and harass you.
Images sent on sites like Snapchat can be saved and screenshotted.
You have no control over who is seeing the image.
If the image is shared around peer groups, this could lead to bullying and isolation.
Before making a decision, try talking to someone you trust.
In a healthy relationship you should not feel pressured to send a nude, but Childline have some tips on how you can deal with it.
Already sent a nude image and worried about it?
TAKE ACTION
Try talking to the person you’ve sent it to, and ask them to delete it. Explain why you’re worried.
If someone has done something online to make you feel worried or unsafe, you can report it to CEOP – The National Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. CEOP works across country to keep children and young people safe. They can provide you with advice and support.
For more information about CEOP, watch the video below:
What to do if yours or a mate’s nude is being shared?
If your mate is under 18, follow the guidance below:
If via social media, you can report the nude image and any abusive comments to the app or website. Social media sites do not allow nude images of under 18s online.
Report it to CEOP. If the person in the image is under 18, CEOP will work with professionals to help keep the young person in the image safe.
Report Remove. Tell the person in the image they can use Childline and IWF’s Report Remove tool.
If you are over 18:
Try speaking to an adult you trust for advice. This might be a family member, an education leader, or a friend or colleague.
Porn (short for Pornography) is a video, story or picture that’s been designed to make someone feel aroused.
It’s normal to be curious about porn or wonder what it is, but let’s give you the facts here first.
FACTS ABOUT PORN
Porn is not the same as reality. They are often paid actors involved.
Some types of porn are illegal.
Nobody is allowed to pressure you to watch porn.
Watching porn when you’re under 18 isn’t against the law, but it is illegal for someone to show you porn or give you access to it if you’re under 16.
Watching porn is a choice and only you can decide if watching porn is something you feel comfortable about.
Remember that it’s always your decision and nobody has the right to pressure you to watch it.
Most people who are in porn are paid actors and they’re doing things to entertain the people watching it.
The actors will behave in a certain way for the film and will have often had surgery to portray a particular type of body.
Typically, a porn actor will be seen to portray the ‘ideal’ sexual body, e.g. no body hair, large and symmetrical genitalia.
Body image can be affected by porn and this can impact trust in a relationship due to unrealistic expectations. It’s important to remember that porn is based on gender stereotypes and not a reflection of real life.
If watching porn is affecting how you feel about your body, try:
It’s important to remember that porn doesn’t show what sex is really like.
It can help to remember that:
Porn is a show for the viewer – it is not real life.
Porn is often for the benefit for men – and can be degrading for women and girls.
Sex can sometimes be awkward.
Lots of things you see in porn make people uncomfortable in real life.
Sex should always be consensual.
(explicit language warning).
Not all porn is legal. It’s illegal for anyone to watch porn involving:
Nude videos or images of under 18s or anything involving under 18s doing something sexual, including sexting.
scenes of rape, even if people are just pretending.
Sexual acts with animals or dead people.
Anything that might put someone’s life in danger, or risk hurting the sexual parts of their body.
Need to report something?
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please dial 999. Choosing to pass on information isn’t an easy decision to make. But it is the right one. However big or small, get it off your shoulders with 100% anonymity.
