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Online Safety

How to keep safe online

The internet is a great way to connect with your friends and learn new things; but it's also important to stay safe.

  • There are a few ways you can help make sure you're not in danger when you use the internet.
  • Be careful what you share online
  • Think before you post
  • Never share or reveal your passwords
  • Be careful who you chat to

Top 3 tips for keeping safe online:

Be careful what you share
If you wouldn't want your teachers or parents to see it, it's probably best not to post it. Because once it's online, it's out of your control

Don't meet people you don't know
Even if you get on with them online, you never know who they really are

Use a complex password
It should be hard for other people to guess your password and it's a good idea to change it regularly.


Childline - Call 0800 1111

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Just as you wouldn’t leave your front door or windows open, you shouldn’t leave your computer or phone unlocked.

Your computer, tablet and phone hold loads of information about you. Your name, address, birthday, a list of your friends, hobbies, text messages, private photos and videos. What else might be on there?

All of this is personal information which you need to keep secure. It’s valuable to you and to criminals. Make sure you keep it locked up and password protected!

If you are under 18 and worried about online abuse or the way someone has been communicating online, contact one of CEOP’s child protection advisers. CEOP is a law enforcement agency and was set up to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.

What kind of things do people report to CEOP?

Visit CEOP

Some of the things children and young people have reported include:

  • Someone online has asked me to send them nude images
  • I shared a nude image with someone online and they are threatening me
  • I did something that I was embarrassed about on webcam and someone has turned nasty towards me
  • Someone I don't know is asking me to live-stream and do things I don't want to do
  • Someone online kept asking me to meet them face-to-face and I feel pressured by them
  • Someone online was talking to me about sex and it made me feel uncomfortable
  • Someone online is putting pressure on me to do things I don't want to do
  • Someone I met in an online game keeps trying to talk to me privately

Technical advice

Whether you want to adjust privacy settings or get advice on social networks, experts from the free O2 & NSPCC helpline are able to help.
Phone: 0808 800 5002
Website:
www.NSPCC.org.uk

CyberSecurity
At Virgin Media O2, we want internet users of all ages to enjoy all the wonderful things the web has to offer, safely. 
 
Our experts have created a cyber security safety test to help build awareness around cybercrime, identity theft, malware & phishing to ensure users are better protected online. 
https://www.virginmedia.com/blog/online-safety/cyber-security-quiz/  
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Children and young people involved with gangs may be victims of violence

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