Make sure to create strong passwords for your online accounts. Easy or common password (i.e. ABC123, your name) can be easily guessed.
TipsUse a different password for each account - if you use the same password everywhere and one account gets hacked then your other accounts might be in danger as well!
Find a secure place to store your passwords and don’t leave them with your devices. Don’t share your passwords with friends.
Turn off Bluetooth on your phone when you're not using it. Strangers can use it to send you unwanted files or even viruses. Switching it off can also help you save phone battery.
It might be tempting to leave your profile public to attract more likes or views – but this also means that just anyone, either with good or bad intentions, is able to see your profile. This can also put you at risk of attracting online groomers to your profile. It’s best to set your profiles to private, so only approved friends or followers can see your posts.
Don’t leave your phone lying around where a classmate or stranger could easily get hold of it.
All social media sites allow you to block people who you don’t want accessing your account.
Think twice before posting – once something is on the internet, it’s out of your control. You could think that your post is just a joke, but things are easily misunderstood online and it might turn out quite embarrassing. Especially, if your parents or teachers end up seeing it.
Be aware of what you send to people privately, no matter how trustworthy they seem. Accounts can be hacked, phones can get into the wrong hands and stories can be screenshotted.
Make sure your friends know your preferences about uploading pictures, as well as about tagging your location or sharing information you expect to be confidential.
Internet viruses won’t get you a cough or a runny nose. But they can make your mobile phone or computer ill. When a virus creeps into your device, it can cause you a lot of trouble. It can slow down your apps, it can also steal your passwords, social media accounts or photos. Sometimes it can even completely shut down your device.
Some online articles, links or emails can look very tempting and say things like, “Have you always wondered how you can make $$$ online?” or “OMG look at this picture of you!”.
This is called clickbait. People or companies use this kind of phrases to make you click their link. Sometimes when you click it you will be bombarded with advertising, but in some cases the link could even open a virus. It’s best not to click this kind of links.
You can download anti-virus software for your mobile phone. It doesn’t keep you 100% safe, but it can prevent some viruses from entering your device. You can ask your parents for help with the installation.
It can be exciting to talk to people online or to interact with someone through a video chat or live stream. But these kind of platforms are popular places for online groomers. When you talk to a stranger or are on a live stream, unexpected things can happen.
If something makes you feel uncomfortable - turn off your camera and close the chat right away.
On the internet, not everyone will be who they say they are. It could even happen that someone you know could try tricking you into believing they are someone else, and use that trust to try and hurt you. Some people will use fake profile pictures and pretend to be much younger than they really are. Don’t meet up with anybody who you haven’t met in person before.
Messages with a shortened URL (i.e. bit.ly/xxx) can send you to a malicious website. If something looks suspicious, check the email address and put it into a search engine. Harmful senders are usually named and shamed online.
When you receive a message, follow or friend request from a stranger, it’s best to delete it.