PSHE - Social Media

Social Media

Social Media has without a doubt changed our lives for the better - it is a creative way of staying in touch, sharing our thoughts and opinions, and express ourselves creatively. It seems like everyone has a presence online. In fact there are estimated to be 3.78 billion social media users worldwide in 2021 – and this number is only going to continue growing over the next few years (Statista, 2020). The selection of advice below will help you stay safe and make most of your time online.

Useful Help and Advice

Online Gaming: Staying Safe

These tips from ThinkUKnow will prove useful in staying safe online when playing multiplayer games.

Selfies: The Naked Truth

ThinkUKnow provides up-to-date information about staying safe when sending images online.

Staying Safe Online

Childline offer a comprehensive guide to staying safe online - including webcams, online shopping and feeling safe, wherever you visit.

Building Confidence After Online Bullying

Cyber bullying can knock your confidence. Here are three things to try to help gain your confidence back, so you can start feeling good about yourself again.

Where can I download Zipit?

Zipit! is a free online app that helps you "get flirty chat back on track" when someone might be asking for images inappropriately

Confidence on Social Media

We all want to be confident social media users. This guide from Childline supports positive mental health while being a part of the online world

What is the law on online images? (from ThinkUKnow)

Naked images of under 18s are illegal, but the police will judge cases with a common sense attitude.
You will not be in trouble with the police if someone has made you share an image of yourself.
The law was created to protect young people and the police don’t want to make young people criminals unnecessarily.

Where can I find help if things go wrong online?

Report a nude image shared online

Follow the steps below from Childline to get your image or video removed from the internet.

Click CEOP

Speak to CEOP If you shared a naked pic or video and someone is threatening you.

Where can I report content?

If you experience content online that is inappropriate, there are many ways to report. ThinkUKnow have a list to social media webpages such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook above.

Fake News and Social Media

Fake news has been making headlines across the world, with everyone from politicians to newspapers being accused of spreading it. This video from the BBC will help you to keep an eye on the stories you see, and consider whether they are true, or false.

Keep up-to-date with genuine news from the BBC Newsbeat website opposite.

How to avoid online and telephone fraud.

Unfortunately, the international nature of the internet means that some people use that as an opportunity to commit efraud - stealing personal information and money from innocent people

Fraudsters stole £4m a day in the UK in the first half of the year.

If anyone calls you claiming to be from a 'trusted' source, like a bank or government agency, politely put the phone down. Research that organisations number, and call back. A genuine caller will not be upset with you!

There is also an emergency hotline for people to report and check financial scams as they happen.

Anyone who receives a call or message from somebody claiming to be from a trusted organisation and who suggests money should be transferred is being urged to hang up and call 159.

This video from Google Education also provides a wealth of useful information in keeping yourself safe online.

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