Your Safety
Your safety is very important, once you have decided to attend an activity or event make sure your get there safetly. It is also important that you stay safe whilst online whether you're surfing the internet or using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Below we have put together some tips on safe travel and there is information, links and a quiz on safe surfing, please take a look...
Safe Surfing
More and more people are logging onto the internet everyday for lots of different reasons. Whether it's to find information (like on Nottszone!), play games, talk to your friends or shop the internet is a brilliant thing, but it can also have its down side. Not everyone using the internet has good intentions and unfortunately some people end up having bad experiences. Below are some tips and useful links to help you enjoy using the internet in safety.
Seven Steps to Safe Surfing
- When in a chatroom never give out personal details such as your real name, address, phone number or bank details.
- Never agree to meet someone you have only spoken to through the internet, they may not be who they say they are.
- Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, abusive, threatening or that make you feel uncomfortable in any way.
- The internet contains lots of useful information. However, not all information found on Web pages is correct. Check all information with other sources i.e other sites, books or a responsible adult.
- A golden padlock and the letters https:// before a website address mean the site is secure - this is especially important if you are shopping on-line and using your bank or any other personal details.
- You must install anti-virus software on your computer and it must be up to date.
- You are losing control of your files and photographs if you publish a personal picture or video online - anyone can change it or share it.
Social networking
Social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and Myspace are great ways to keep in touch with your friends, share photos and let people know what you are up to. You need to remember that information that you put on these sites can be seen by lots of people and you need to take care to select the right privacy settings. Here are a few things you should be aware of.
- Cyber bulling - Other people might try to embarrass or intimidate you by posting malicious content.
- Cyber grooming - An adult may try to pretend to be a young person or say that they are an adult you can trust in order to befreind you or to meet you offline.
- Posting information - Don't forget that all information including pictures can be accessed by other people. Once it has been posted online, it is impossible to know if anyone else has made a copy of it.
- Innapropriate material - Young people are at risk from other people posting innapropriate material and advertisments.
You can reduce these risks by setting you privacy settings so that people you do not know cannot access your information. You also need to check out that the people who you accept as friends are people you really do know. If they start to act suspiciously or you are not comfortable with what they are posting, delete them from your friends list.
Safe Surfing Links
Below are links to some helpful websites which can tell you more about internet safety
- youngpeoplesafeonline.com - Helping you to have fun whilst staying safe on line.
- websafecrackerz.com - Fun site aimed at young people with useful information about web safety.
- getsafeonline.org - Expert advice for everyone about protecting yourself and your computer. Take a test to see how safe you are.
- itsafe.gov.uk - IT safe is a free UK government service that provides home users and small businesses with warnings and news about computer security problems.
- gridclub.com - Grid Club is a safe on-line learning club for young people. Play the cyber cafe game to find out how to stay safe on-line.
- childnet-int.org - A non-profit organisation working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.
Cassie Lovelock from West Bridgford Comprehensive School carried out her work experience with the Youth Service in October.
She spent a day with us at County Hall and one of her tasks was to put together some Safe Surfing Tips.
You can now download Cassie's Safe Surfing Tips here on Nottszone. You could print these and keep the tips by your computer as a reminder
to stay safe whilst online. Download Cassie's safe surfing tips here
Safe Surfing Quiz
Are you and your friends safe surfers? Test your knowledge with our Safe Surfing Quiz.
Safe Travel
Your safety is very important. Remember the following things when you are out and about.
- Always tell someone where you are going and what time you are expecting to come home.
- Keep your mobile phone charged up and with you. Make sure it has credit.
- Walk in well lit areas and make sure you know where you are going.
- Avoid any conflict or arguments with other people.
- Don?t flash the cash ? keep all of your valuables out of sight.
- Do not accept lifts from people you do not know.
- Try to go to places with your friends.
- Have a back up plan ? what if your train is cancelled or your bus is late?
Further Advice
Go to Someone to talk to and search under Staying Safe for further help and advice.
