All You Need to Know

• How can I stay safe online?

  Follow these basic rules to help you stay safe:

  • Never share personal information online.
  • Don’t respond to emails, texts, or messages from strangers.
  • Don’t post or share photos online.
  • Don’t click links, open attachments, or accept gifts from someone you don’t know.
  • Never agree to meet someone you met online.
  • Let your parents or another trusted adult know if you need help.
  • Use strong passwords and never share them with anyone.

• How can I stay safe on social media?

  Social media is a great way to stay connected to your friends and what is happening in the world, but it is not always a positive experience.

  Sometimes you can spend too much time on social media and it can start to affect your everyday life. You might also see something upsetting or inappropriate, or you might experience cyberbullying.

  It's a good idea to limit how much time you spend on social media. You could download an app which helps you monitor your usage and sets up time limits.

  If someone is making you feel unhappy, unfollow or block them. It's also always worth remembering that you should never compare yourself negatively with people on social media - what they are presenting is often a 'highlights reel' of their life and doesn't include any difficulties they may be having. 

  You can adjust your privacy settings so that only your friends can see your content - although bear in mind this does not mean it can't be shared to other people. You should also be careful not to share personal information such as your location, date of birth or phone number with strangers.

• What is cyberbullying?

  Cyberbullying is when you are bullied online. It can be very hard to escape, as the bully is able to reach you at any time online.

  It might include someone posting offensive messages about you on social media or messaging platforms, or sharing your private information online without your permission. Other examples are someone accessing your social media account without your permission, or creating a fake account to impersonate you.

  If you have experienced bullying online, it is important to report the incident. Most social media sites have a help centre and a report button. The reports can normally be completed anonymously.

  You should also tell a trusted adult, maybe a family member or a teacher, and take screenshots of any online abuse as evidence.

• How do I know who I'm talking to?

  One of the dangers of talking to someone online is that you can't always be sure they are who they say they are.

  Catfishing is when someone creates a fake profile online and pretends to be someone else. They might pose as one of your friends and will try to trick you into sharing personal information or sending money.

  You should only add people you know and trust on social media and be aware of anyone who might be using a fake identity. Look out for signs such as if they don't use the language you would expect that person to use, or if they try and pressure you into doing something.

  Never pass on personal details such as your address or date of birth to someone you don't know or have never met.

• I think I am being radicalised

  Some young people might be in danger of radicalisation from extremists.

  The extreme right-wing and religious extremism groups are the two main extremism and terrorism threats in the UK at the moment. Online extremists might make contact through social media, online gaming or online chatrooms.

  If you are worried that someone is trying to radicalise you, or if you have experienced radicalisation and you want to get help, you can contact the Act Early website. You could also report the matter to the police, or speak to a trusted adult and ask them to help.

• I've sent a sexual image and now I regret it

  Sexting, or sharing sexual content online, via text or social media might seem fun, but if the image falls into the wrong hands, it can be shared online and become difficult to control.

  There is a danger that the image you send could be shared without your consent. Think carefully before you send an explicit photo - once it has been sent, it is no longer in your control.

  If you have sent an explicit image and you regret it, you should ask the person who received it to delete it. If the image has been shared online, you can use Childline's Report Remove service to try and get the picture removed.

• Am I being groomed?

  Online grooming is when someone builds an online relationship with a young person to talk them into doing things for them, including something sexual, like sexting. 
  
  Grooming happens most often on social media, dating apps, instant messaging and in chat rooms online. There are a few ways you can spot online grooming including:

  • When someone keeps sending you lots of messages from different places, like messages, emails and social media.
  • If someone tries to blackmail you by saying they will be upset if you don't do something for them. 
  • Making you tell them secrets about yourself so they can expose your privacy. 
  • Asking you to keep your chats and messages secret so that people who care about you don't find out.
  • If they start sending sexual messages and asking you for images in return, like nudes. 

  If you think you might be being groomed, try not to feel embarrassed. Groomers are master manipulators and it isn't your fault.
  
  Get help if you think you are being groomed

• What is fake news and how do I spot it?

  Fake news is something that is posted online that is not real or true - quite often to draw a reaction from other people.

  It is often designed to make you feel angry, worried or scared. Instead of reacting straight away, take a few moments to think about whether it is real or a hoax.

  Check the website which is reporting the news - is it a trusted source? Have a look on other sites you trust to see if they are reporting it as well.

  Check the post or article is not out of date, or if it's a picture, look closely and check if there's anything which makes it seem unreal or false.

  If you're not sure about something you've seen, ask a trusted adult to check it for you.

• Do I have a gambling problem?

  Gambling can be fun, but it is also risky and it can easily get out of control.

  Whether it is betting on sports events or buying Lottery tickets, it is easier than ever to access gambling online and it can become very addictive.

  If you are struggling with gambling, it can affect your mood and you might start lying to cover up your gambling activity. You might become less interested in your usual activities and hobbies, or your studies might suffer because you are thinking about gambling.

  If you recognise those signs, or you are worried about someone else, ask for help. You can very easily get into financial difficulty.

  BigDeal have a free helpline on 0808 8020 133 as well as a live chat via their website.

  Visit the BigDeal website