Advice for young people

How to stay safe when you're online

The internet should be a fun and interesting place to explore, learn and have fun. But some people use the internet to cause harm.

So stay safe and follow these rules when you're online:

never give out personal information, such as telephone numbers, home address or details about your school, college or place of work
never agree to meet someone you are in contact with over the internet. If you do want to meet them, always meet in a public place, during the day and take a parent/carer/adult friend with you. Remember, not everyone is who they say they are
if someone says something that makes you feel upset, uncomfortable or threatened, save the messages but do not respond. Then tell a parent/carer/Internet Service Provider (i.e. BT, Tiscali or AOL) or report it online
never send pictures of yourself or any of your friends or family to anyone you meet online without asking your parents/carers
follow the rules your parents/carers have set when using the internet
report it and block it if you find something on the internet that makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.

Tell your parents, carer or teacher
Contact the police
Report it to CEOP (the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre).
Report it to the Internet Watch Foundation
Report it to your Internet Service Provider. ISPs have rules about online behaviour. If anyone breaks those rules they have their account suspended temporarily. If the problem continues the account will be closed permanently.