The Internet is Great – Yes?
Social media platforms are great for connecting with family and friends to share your comments, thoughts, ideas, photographs as well as sharing another person’s video’s and posts you find funny or interesting. All good so far!
However, it does have hidden problems and dangers especially when it comes to you being targeted by people or organisations who want to do you harm.
“NOT EVERYTHING ONLINE IS TRUE”
People will lie about who they are, and information may not be true. Whilst this sounds and is scary there are things you can do to protect and safeguard yourself from online dangers.
Consider these points…
- Don’t give out personal information to people you don’t know. This includes email address, phone numbers, address, passwords. Keep personal information secure.
- Know who you are talking to. Remember people you talk to online are still strangers. Keep the relationship online and tell someone if they are trying to get to meet you offline.
- Don’t be pressured into doing anything you don’t feel is right. Tell someone.
- Keep your behaviour in check. It’s easy to get carried away and share too much about yourself.
- Social media has security settings. Use them to keep your privacy safe and share with only those you want to share with and you know.
- If you are worried or feel uncomfortable speak with someone – your parents or teacher perhaps.
- If you get an email from someone you do not know – delete it. Don’t open attachments or click on links. This is a way people grab your information or spread computer viruses. They may be sending threats or unpleasant images.
- Protect your online reputation. It stays there and it may come back to cause you harm later on.
- Don’t think even though you are adults it will not happen to you. You may be feeling vulnerable and think people are wanting to be your friend.
Useful websites for further information on staying safe online
https://www.getsafeonline.org/
https://www.cyberaware.gov.uk/
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/
http://www.childnet.com/
What is Prevent?
Prevent is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism. Prevent is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
We are now more aware of the varying factors that can make someone vulnerable to radicalisation and drive them to support terrorism
The NHS and Prevent
The NHS website has useful information on how they are involved and you can also access free training:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/safeguarding/our-work/prevent/
Rove and Prevent
Within your apprenticeship training your tutor will cover the subject of Prevent including
- Radicalisation and extremism
- Staying safe online.
- Critical thinking and
- British values.
We aim to keep you up to date and share further information, so we can all stay safe.
