Staying Safe Online

In March 2024 YOL! met to discuss their concerns with social media and share their tips for staying safe online. Below are some of what was spoken about with links to other sites for more information. If you want to see what YOL! were concerned about follow the link here.

Tips for Staying Safe

YOL! shared their tips for staying safe online. These are also available on YOL!s Instagram.

What you post

• Remember everyone can see it. Once you have posted something it is out there and cannot be taken back.
• Do not share personal information. Full name, address, where you go to school, when you will be at youth groups etc etc.
• Think how it will make someone else feel. Is it a kind thing to say?

Looking after your health

• Be careful with screen time. It is easy to spend hours on social media scrolling without realising. Or a mix of telly, social media, internet, gaming can lead to lots of screen time and not a lot of physical activity.
• Do not compare yourself to others, especially influencers.
• Do not be on your phone before going to bed. Can take a while to relax before getting to sleep.
• Set boundaries with friends. It can feel overwhelming to have to reply and young people can put pressure on each other to keep replying. Make sure you get time away from your screen and get good sleep.
• Do not share your live location, especially if away on holiday.
• ‘be in the moment’ you do not need to be online, reply or post all the time. Engage in the thing you are supposed to be doing.

Staying Safe

• Keep accounts private. If you want to have a public account get support with this so you stay safe.
• Only accept friends you know. There are signs to make sure they are who they say such as mutual friends and some people have accepted social media friends while face to face so you know it’s them. 
• Be careful with what you watch. Not everything is as it seems. Some things are meant to upset you and encourage dangerous behaviour. Report this content and speak to someone you are comfortable talking to. 
• If someone you care for posts something you are worried about, reach out to them on their phone if you have it.
• If someone starts to be mean. Report them straight away, speak to an adult and report the behaviour on the social media platform.
• Don’t feel you have to be on social media. Join social media because you want to not because you are trying to fit in. 
• Always remember you can report or block someone.