Internet Safety

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Internet Safety

What we do on-line:-

• Email
• Blogs
• Computer games
• Instant messages (IM)
• Chatting
• Research

 

 

3 Golden Rules of Using the Internet:-

Respect All Users

•  People waiting to use the computer you are using
•  People who receive your emails
•  People you contact using instant messaging

 

 

 

Remember the internet is a 'public place'

You may not realise it but every time you go online you leave a trail!! Have a look in the history section of your website browser and you can see the websites you have visited in the past.

• Treat your password like your toothbrush don't share it with anyone and change it often.
• Always remember to logoff when you have finished with an online service.
• Remember that most of the websites you visit will make a note of your visit and may also track the websites you visit before and after their website!
• Let an 'adult' know if anything you read or see makes you feel worried or upset.

 Use appropriate language

• In any email whether personal or professional
• In chat rooms
• When using instant messaging programmes
• Remember don't say anything you wouldn't say in person

Respect the privacy of other users and yourself -

• Protect your personal and private information
• Protect personal and private information you know about others
• Be aware of cookies, unsolicited emails - spam, advertising and web site searches
• Don't read other peoples mail
• Keep passwords confidential and secure

Chat!

Chatting is a great way to stay in touch and keep up to date with friends. E-mail, MSN, Skype, text - what's your favourite?

• Treat your online space with respect - only allow your real life friends to link to you...if you haven't met them in real life don't link to them.
• Use a nickname online (not your real name) and a nickname that is not going to attract the wrong type of attention!
• Meeting up with an online friend can be dangerous - if you really have to meet up with them speak to an adult and make sure that they go with you.
• ALWAYS have a good look at the privacy settings of any spaces you post personal information on and make sure you know who can see or copy your stuff!
• Look out for your friends online and do something if you think they are at risk.
• Delete chain mails - they're just rubbish.
• Do not reply to spammers - for any reason

 

Safe Searching

•  Be clear in your online searches try to use more than one word to describe what you are searching for. For example, if you are searching for information on the planet Mercury, entering 'planet mercury' into the search box will give better results than just entering 'Mercury'.)
• Take care to spell correctly when typing in a search. Even a small typing error can bring up unwanted results.
• Remember that not all the information in websites returned in searches is reliable. Look in books, ask people who might know, and look up at least three other websites to check your info.
• Make sure you filter your searches online - especially if you are doing an image search.
• Bookmark your favourite websites or check your history to make sure you are revisiting the same websites.
• If you see something that upsets you, make sure you turn off the screen or make the window smaller on a laptop and tell an 'adult' as soon as possible.

Password Protection

Your passwords help protect your computer and your files from tampering

• Don't use passwords that are easy to guess
• Change your password regularly - at work this may be according to your company procedures
• Keep passwords secure and confidential
• Be aware of password and user ID's which ask if you wish them to be remembered so that you don't have to keep re-typing them

 

Internet Safety at Work

• Your organisation will have rules and procedures about internet and email use
• You may be assigned a password by your organisation and they will have a procedure for use, security and confidentiality

Be aware that an increasing number of employers are monitoring and recording employee Web usage and emails - keep private data

 

Internet Safety Advice

If you or someone you know is being bullied online or via a mobile phone, you have a right not to have to deal with it on your own. It's important you save the messages or conversations, or make a note of the website address and show an adult you can trust to help resolve the situation. Remember not to accept this kind of behaviour - from anyone - online or offline.

Be aware of the legal consequences of your online activities. Illegal activities include downloading copyrighted music or film, and harassing other people online.

You are not anonymous online and things can get traced back to you.

Not everything you see or everyone you meet online is reliable. People you have only met online are still strangers, no matter how long you have been talking to them or how friendly they are. Because meeting up with these people can be dangerous only do so with your parents' or carers' permission, and even then only when they can be present. If you only go with your friends you risk putting them in danger too. Anyone can put or say virtually anything on the internet so remember that not everything is true; make sure you compare information with other websites, books and by talking to people before you believe it.

Adults who go online to chat to young people and arrange to meet up in order to have sex are breaking the law. If you have met someone online and conversations with that person are making you feel uncomfortable tell an adult you trust or you can report it to the police at www.thinkuknow.co.uk. All reports are taken seriously and a police officer will contact you to help sort the problem out.

 www.kidsmart.org.uk

Play interactive games and learn more about internet safety www.childnet-int.org/sorted

Find out how to keep your computer secure from viruses, spyware and people wanting to steal your identity.

You can call Child Line in confidence on 0800 11 11 if ever you need to talk to someone about anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or worried online.

Keep Smart on your Mobile- Guidance from Childnet International

Do not give out your number to people you do not know, especially on Instant Messenger or in chatrooms. Keep your security code or PIN number private. Find out the serial number of your phone (imei) by typing *#06# and keep this 15 digit number safe. If your phone gets lost or stolen ring 08701 123 123 to get it blocked. This will stop people from using your lost or stolen handset. Keep your mobile hidden when you're on the street - that way it is less likely to get stolen.

Parents Factsheet

 

Further Information and Guidance

http://www.suzylamplugh.org/personal-safety/personal-safety-tips/internet-safety/