Keeping Safe Online
You probably don’t need us to tell you that the internet can be a weird and scary place, and some people may try to trick you or take advantage of you online. Explore the information here that could support you in staying safe on the internet, apps and social media.
Top tips
If you are unsure who you are talking to, or you are talking to someone you have never met, do not share with them your full name, address, school/college or photos of yourself. You cannot be sure what the other person may do with this information.
Be aware of the information strangers can find about you online. Change your privacy settings so people you don’t know cannot see your photos, your location or any of your information.
Once you post something online, if you change your mind and decide to remove it, it’s near impossible to guarantee it has gone from the internet forever. Other people are able to copy and screenshot your posts and share them from their own accounts, and it is very difficult to track this.
Meeting somebody in person that you have only previously met online should be done with a great deal of caution.
It is very easy for somebody to create a false identity for themselves online, and to tell you information that is not true. Can you be certain that the person you have been talking to online is who they say they are? Can you be sure that you will be safe? Can you be sure that they are really your “friend”? If you are considering meeting with someone you have met online, you can talk about what you need to consider and how to stay safe with a trusted adult using the Proud Connections chat service. If you want to meet other LGBT+ young people, why not check out your local LGBT+ youth group?
Bullying and LGBTphobia
If you are being bullied online, you could try the following the steps below:
- Don’t retaliate. Continue being kind and respectful. Being unkind back may make the situation worse and you may get into trouble too.
- Screenshot any messages as they may be used as evidence later on.
- Report and block the bully. Many sites and some games have tools where you can report and block others, so they should then investigate the incident you have reported.
- Tell someone what’s happened. It can be very stressful and upsetting, so care for your mental wellbeing by seeking support. This may be from your family, teachers or someone from a trusted organisation. You can speak to us using our instant messaging tool.
If a person is sending you abusive messages and you feel their hatred is because of their prejudice towards your LGBT+ identity, this is a hate crime. You can find more information on what a hate crime is and how to report it here.
More Information
There are lots of useful websites where you can get more information.
To find more information on how to stay safe online, check out:
If you are worried about the way someone is speaking to you online, have a look at the information and how to make a report on the website for CEOP Command.