Get Safe Online has a lot of information about every aspect of being online from protecting yourself and your computer to shopping and banking online and using social networking.
To learn more about using computers and the internet safely, you can book a free one-to-one Learn My Way session at any Enfield Library
Young internet users
As a general rule you should:
- keep private information safe and never give out details, like your full name, photos, postal or email addresses, school information, mobile or home telephone numbers, or details of places you like to spend time
- never arrange to meet people you have only met online. Even if you have been chatting with someone for a while, that person is still a stranger.
- delete any suspicious emails or attachments as they may contain something offensive, or have a virus that can cause damage to your computer
- never do anything on a webcam you would not want your family or friends to see
- chat to a trusted adult if you're worried or unhappy about anything you have seen online
Here is a selection resources with useful tips on online safety:
It's never too late to tell someone if you have seen something online which made you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. If you do not want to talk to your parents or teachers, you can call Childline. They will not tell anyone what you have said unless you say they can, or if someone is in danger. Call free on 0800 1111.
To report something you have seen directly, go to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) and use the 'make a report' button. What you say will be taken seriously. Contacting CEOP is like contacting the police.
Parents and carers
There is plenty of good advice available from organisations like the NSPCC, Think You Know - Parents and Childnet International about keeping your kids safe online.
The most important thing is to be aware of what your children might be doing online by learning about the dangers of the internet and the tools which are in place to help protect children from seeing unsuitable material. Children also need to feel that they can talk to you about anything which has made them feel uncomfortable online and know that they won't be in any trouble.