Safer Internet Day is being celebrated around the world and in our school 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!
Students
Have a look at the tips and resources below to help you make a positive change online, stay safe and help your friends.
A better internet starts with you...
It starts with staying safe online.
Keep your personal information safe and check with an adult before you share anything online. Personal information includes your email address, phone number and passwords. 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 online asks to meet up.
It starts with being a good friend.
Remember that behind every screen is a real person. Being kind and positive online is just as important as being kind and positive face-to-face.
It starts with saying sorry.
Even when we’re trying really hard to be a good friend online, things can still go wrong. If you ever upset someone online, even if it wasn’t on purpose, then saying sorry is a really powerful and positive action to take.
It starts with taking a step back.
Being online is great – there are so many fun and exciting things to do! But being connected all the time can get a little stressful. If being online is making you feel worried, upset or confused, it’s always worth taking a step back and having a break from your online activities. Check out Red and Murphy talking about this in this special SID TV video.
It starts with asking for help.
It’s okay to feel worried or upset by something you see online – just make sure you speak to someone about it! Always tell an adult you trust if you see anything that worries you online.
Are you an online expert? Get ready for Safer Internet Day 2018 by testing your knowledge with the #SID2018 Quiz.
Parents and Carers
Have a look at the tips and links below with some suggestions on how to get started with supporting your child to stay safe and positive online.
A better internet starts with you...
It starts with an open and honest dialogue.
Talk regularly with your child about how they use technology, and find out what their digital life is like, including what their favourite sites and services are and also how being online makes them feel. Not sure where to begin? Have a look at our suggested conversation starters for parents.
It starts with a balanced approach.
As parents, it’s natural to feel worried about the risks posed by your child being online, but for young people, the online world is exciting and fun, as it brings so many opportunities for them. Connect with your child by asking them to share with you their favourite things to do online, as well as discussing the risks they might come across. Use our quick activities as a family this Safer Internet Day.
It starts with using the tools available to help you.
There are lots of tools to help you manage the devices used by your family. For example, knowing how to activate and use parental controls can help protect your child from seeing inappropriate content online. For advice and guidance on how to make use of parental controls and other safety features on devices, check out our free Parents’ Guide to Technology and see more advice in our advice centre for parents and carers.
It starts with knowing where to get help.
It can sometimes feel like young people are the experts in all things online, but remember – you are the life experts. You are always there to help your child but make sure you know how to get support too by visiting our Need Help? page. You can find more information about how you can help your child stay safe online by using features such as privacy settings on social media and understanding how to make a report on a range of apps, games and services.
It starts with a family agreement.
The online world is an increasingly large part of modern family life, so it makes sense to approach it as a family too. Why not make a pledge together on how as a family you’re going to use the internet safely and positively? If you need help with this, have a look at our family pledge card for a great way to ensure that everyone is on the same page.