Safer Internet Day | Online safety | Explore | ChildLine

8 February 2011

Safer Internet Day 2011 helps you find information and advice about staying safe online. There are lots of activities and events taking place during this week and you can find out about them on the Think U Know website as well as the Safer Internet Day website.

 

Staying Safe online

The theme of this year's Safer Internet
Day is Virtual lives and the idea that 'It’s more than a game, it’s your life'.

 

Online gaming
Many young people play games online. These can be simple ones, like the ones on the ChildLine website, to large multiplayer games. In these games, people play against hundreds of other people who they often do not know. They can also interact with other players like in a social networking site. It's important to stay safe online and not let the fantasy world of gaming affect your real life. Here are some tips to stay safe:

• Don’t neglect your friends, social activities and homework, and keep your gaming time under control.
• Protect your privacy, and take care with your personal information. Personal information could be your full name, home address, phone number or the name of your school.
• Keep an eye out for game ratings: they tell you if the game is not suitable for younger age groups.
• If you ever feel unsafe or are being bullied by another player, block the person's access and report it to the game provider or a parent/carer.
  Visit the messageboard to share your tips for staying safe online.

Read more information about how to stay safe online by clicking on the links below.

Social networking
Social Networking sites, like Facebook, MySpace and Bebo, are websites where you can create a profile all about yourself and send messages to other people. It's important to know how to stay safe online and what to do if someone is nasty to you.
Read more about social networking

Safe surfing
The internet is a great place to chat to friends, show all your photos and have fun, but it's important to know how to stay safe too.
Read more about safe surfing

Covering your tracks
Keep your visits to the ChildLine website private. Calling ChildLine's helpline is confidential. If you also want to keep your visits to ChildLine's website confidential, you can cover your tracks by following the steps on this page.
Read more about covering your tracks

Cyber bullying
Cyber bullying is when people are nasty or threaten someone online or through a mobile phone.
Read more about cyber bullying

Mobile phone safety
Mobiles are a great way to keep in touch with your mates. If someone you don't know gets in touch with you on your mobile, or if you are being bullied through your phone, you should tell someone who can help you, or
call ChildLine.
Read more about mobile phone safety  

Useful Links

Think U Know website

Safer Internet Day 2011 website

via childline.org.uk