Staying Safe Online

The internet is an amazing place. You can chat with friends, play games, learn new stuff, watch videos, and so much more. But just like exploring any new place, it's important to know how to stay safe. This page is here to give you the lowdown on being online and how to make sure you're having fun safely.

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What are the Dangers Online?

The internet can sometimes have risks.

Here are some things to be aware of:

Meeting Strangers: Not everyone online is who they say they are. People might pretend to be your age or someone they're not. Be cautious about talking to or meeting up with people you only know online.
Seeing Nasty Stuff: Sometimes you might accidentally (or even purposefully) come across things that are upsetting, scary, or just not right for your age. This could be violence, extreme views, or sexual content.
Being Bullied: The internet can be used to make people feel bad. This is called cyberbullying (more on that below).
Grooming: This is when an adult pretends to be your friend online with the goal of building a relationship to hurt or exploit you. It's a serious danger and you need to know the signs.
Giving Away Too Much Info: Sharing personal details can be risky (we'll cover this more too!).
Viruses and Hacking: Clicking on dodgy links or downloading things from unknown places can harm your device or let others access your accounts.
Feeling Left Out or Addicted: Seeing what everyone else is doing online can sometimes make you feel bad about yourself or like you're missing out. It's easy to spend too much time online and forget about other things.
Illegal Stuff: You might come across people trying to sell illegal things or involved in other crimes online.

It's not about scaring you, but about being aware so you can make smart choices.

Cyberbullying: What it is and How to Stop It

Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online, often through social media, messaging apps, gaming sites, or emails. It can feel really tough because it can follow you everywhere, even when you're at home.

What counts as cyberbullying?

Sending nasty, hurtful, or threatening messages.
Spreading rumours about you online.
Sharing embarrassing photos or videos of you without your permission.
Excluding you from online games or groups.
Making fake profiles to tease or humiliate you.
Trolling (sending upsetting messages to provoke a reaction).
Pressuring you to do things you don't want to do.

What to do if you're cyberbullied:

Don't reply: It can be tempting, but often this is what the bully wants. It might make things worse.
Keep the evidence: Take screenshots of messages, photos, or posts. This is important proof if you need to report it.
Block the bully: Most platforms let you block users so they can't contact you.
Report it: Use the reporting tools on the app or website where the bullying is happening.
Tell a trusted adult: This is the most important step! Talk to a parent, carer, teacher, youth worker, or another adult you trust. They can help you figure out what to do next and support you.
Remember it's not your fault: Bullying is about the bully, not you. You have the right to feel safe online.

The Dark Web: What You Need to Know

You might have heard of the 'Dark Web' and it can sound a bit mysterious.

Think of the internet like an iceberg:

Surface Web: This is the bit you use every day – websites you find on Google, social media, news sites.
Deep Web: This is the part that's hidden from regular search engines, like your online banking, email accounts, or private databases. You need a password to get in.
Dark Web: This is a small, hidden part of the Deep Web that you can only get to using special software (like Tor).

Why should you avoid the Dark Web?

While not everything on the Dark Web is illegal, it's often used for very dangerous and illegal activities because it's designed to be anonymous. This means people can hide who they are and what they're doing. You might find:

Illegal marketplaces (selling drugs, weapons, stolen goods).
Extremely violent or harmful content.
Forums where people discuss illegal activities, including exploiting young people.

It's not a place for young people to explore. If you accidentally end up somewhere online that feels wrong or scary, tell a trusted adult straight away.

Your Personal Data and Confidentiality

Your personal data is information that can identify you, like your name, address, school, photos, birthday, and even your online activity. Confidentiality means keeping private information secret.

In the UK, there are laws (like GDPR) to protect your personal data. Companies and websites have rules about how they collect and use your information, especially for people under 18.

How to protect your personal data:

Think before you share: Don't give out personal information like your full name, address, school, phone number, or where you hang out to people you don't know online.
Check your privacy settings: On social media, apps, and games, check who can see your profile, posts, photos, and location. Set them to 'Friends only' or 'Private'.
Be careful what you post: Photos or videos can contain clues about where you are or who you're with.
Don't click on weird links: Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them your personal information (like passwords) by sending fake emails or links.
Remember your 'digital footprint': Everything you do online leaves a trace. Think about whether you'd be happy for future colleges or employers to see what you post now.

You have rights about your data. You can ask websites what information they have about you and ask them to delete it. If you're under 13, websites usually need permission from your parent or carer to collect your data.

When should you worry?

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Advice and Guidance

Online Safety Tips and Tricks!

Here are some easy ways to stay safer online:

Use strong passwords: Mix upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Don't use your name, birthday, or simple words. Don't use the same password for everything.
Think before you post or share: Once something is online, it can be very hard to remove. Would you be happy for your family or teachers to see it?
Be kind: Treat others online how you would want to be treated. Don't say things you wouldn't say to someone's face.
Know how to block and report: Learn how to use the safety features on the apps and sites you use.
Talk to a trusted adult: If anything online worries you, makes you feel uncomfortable, or seems wrong, tell an adult you trust straight away. They won't be angry, they'll want to help.
Check website addresses: Look for 'https' at the start of a website address and a padlock symbol in the address bar, especially if you're entering personal info. This means the site is secure.
Be careful about meeting online friends: Never meet someone you've only spoken to online without a trusted adult going with you and meeting in a public place during the day.
Limit your screen time: Make sure you have a healthy balance between time online and offline activities, sleep, and seeing friends and family in person.

The 5 Ps of Online Safety

A simple way to remember key safety tips is the 5 Ps:

Passwords: Keep them strong and secret!
Privacy settings: Use them to control who sees your information.
Personal information: Protect it – don't share too much.
Profiles: Be careful what you put on your profile and who you connect with.
Padlock: Look for the padlock symbol for secure websites.

Getting Help and Advice in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, and Dorset

If you're worried about something online, or if something has happened that you're not happy about, it's important to talk to someone. You don't have to deal with it alone.

Here are some places you can get help and advice locally and nationally:

Talk to a Trusted Adult:

Your parents or carers
A teacher or school staff member
A youth worker

Local Support:

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary / Safe4Me: The police have resources and teams dedicated to keeping young people safe. Check the Safe4Me website for information and how to contact them or report concerns.
Dorset Police: Dorset Police offer advice and resources on their website for young people and parents about online safety.
Isle of Wight Safeguarding Children Partnership: Provides local information and links to support services.

National Support (available across the UK):

Childline: You can call Childline free on 0800 1111 or chat to them online. They are there to listen about anything that's bothering you, including online worries.
NSPCC: The NSPCC website has lots of information about online safety and what to do if you're worried about yourself or another child. Their helpline is 0808 800 5000.
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection): This is the police command that helps protect children online. You can report concerns about online sexual abuse or grooming directly to CEOP via their website (Thinkuknow).
ThinkUKnow: This is CEOP's educational website with age-appropriate information and advice about online safety. It's a great place to learn more and make a report if you need to.
UK Safer Internet Centre: Offers tips, advice, and resources for young people, parents, and educators. They also have a helpline for professionals.
The Mix: Provides support for young people aged 11-25 on a range of issues, including online safety and cyberbullying. You can contact them via phone, webchat, or text.
Young Minds: A charity supporting young people's mental health. Online issues can affect how you feel, and Young Minds can provide support and advice.

Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength. Stay safe and enjoy your time online!

Self care and Prevention

Video Showcase

Being Safe on the Internet

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Further Information

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Brain tumour

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Cancer

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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Chronic kidney disease

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Diabetes

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Eczema

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Epilepsy

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FSGS and IgM nephropathy

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Glomerulonephritis

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Haematuria

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Haemophilia

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Hypertension

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Medical ID and alert products

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Mitochondrial disease

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When a person has Mitochondrial Disease the mitochondria in the cells are not producing enough energy. Sometimes they are not very efficient or they do not work at all. Depending on which Mitochondria are affected will depend on which organs are affected.

Activities like running, swimming, cycling or even simple ones likes walking or breathing can be difficult or completely impossible if you are suffering with Mitochondrial Diseases.

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Muscular Dystrophy

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Nephrotic syndrome

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Post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN)

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Primary immunodeficiency

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Proteinuria

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Renal dysplasia

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Renal hypoplasia

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Scoliosis

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