It’s hard to imagine a day passing without using the Internet in today’s interconnected world. But while digital platforms provide numerous opportunities for connection and productivity, they can also pose threats to our safety and security. From cyberbullying to identity theft, the Internet is full of threats that we all need to be acquainted with. It’s important both for kids and adults to know how to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
General Internet Safety
Building safe online habits and conducting yourself responsibly are crucial to protect yourself and prevent harm to others. Whenever you need to make an account for a website or app, create a strong password that doesn’t use easily guessable information, like your birth date or a real word found in the dictionary; instead, use a string of capital and lowercase letters and symbols, or use a password generator to create one for you. You should also use two-factor authentication whenever it’s available. Also, make sure that your computer is secure and up to date: Install software security updates promptly, and install, update, and use antivirus software regularly. It’s also important to never download files or open links from people or websites you do not know.
- Understanding Privacy in Social Media
- Social Media Privacy Settings
- How to Protect Your Social Media Presence
- How to Stay Safe on Social Media
- How to Safely Use Social Media
- Privacy and Social Media Use for Kids
Digital Citizenship
Being a responsible digital citizen entails using technology appropriately and in a manner that respects other people’s rights. You should also hold yourself accountable for what you post online and consider how your online actions could affect others and society in general. Before you post anything online, think about whether it could harm someone, make them angry, or invade their privacy. Remember that once something is online, it’s very difficult to erase; even if you delete it, it’s entirely possible that it’s already been saved or copied somewhere.
It’s also more important than ever to avoid spreading misinformation online. When you read articles or social media posts, examine the source and think about whether they can be trusted to give you factual and unbiased information. And don’t contribute to toxic behavior online: Participate in healthy and constructive discussions, and immediately report and/or block abusive content or interactions.
- What Is Digital Citizenship, and Why Is it Important?
- What Is Digital Citizenship?
- What Your Students Really Need to Know About Digital Citizenship
- Nine Rules for Digital Citizenship
Social Media Safety
Social media platforms help us connect, but it’s important not to let down your guard while doing so. Always understand the available privacy features on each platform and use them to protect your personal information, including profile details and posts that you make. Don’t add people as friends or followers unless you know them personally. Do not put any of your personal information on public forums or profiles; people could use this information to steal your identity. Don’t share your location or post photos while you’re away on vacation, as this tells the world that you’re not home, meaning that it’s a good time to break into your home. And don’t forget the same safe behaviors that you’d use anywhere else online, like using strong passwords and not clicking on links or interacting with messages that seem strange or suspicious. Remember that even if a message looks like it’s from someone you know, it’s possible that their profile has been hacked and the message isn’t really from them.
- Side Effects of Sharing Personal Information on Social Media
- Social Media Awareness and Privacy
- Why it Is Important to Avoid Oversharing on Social Platforms
- How to Stay Safe on Social Media Sites
- Social Media Safety Tips
- Keeping Teens Safe on Social Media: What Parents Should Know to Protect Their Kids
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a serious problem that can cause emotional and psychological harm to its victims. As the name indicates, cyberbullying is when someone is threatened or ridiculed online. If you are cyberbullied or you see someone else being bullied online, take screenshots or save the messages in question as proof, then take action to stop it. Don’t respond to the bully or try to challenge them in any way; that’s only likely to make things worse. Instead, block them from contacting you and report their behavior to the website where it happened. You can also turn to friends or family for help. Remember that you’re not alone: There’s always help out there.
- What Is Cyberbullying?
- Ways of Helping Kids Deal With Cyberbullying
- What Are the Effects of Cyberbullying?
- Effects of Cyberbullying on Children
- Cyberbullying: What it Is and How to Stop It
- Cyberbullying and What You Need to Know
Identity Theft, Phishing, and Online Scams
The Internet is full of people looking to make money by taking advantage of other people. One common approach is phishing, which is when someone sends you a deceptive message in an attempt to trick you into giving away your personal information, like passwords or credit card numbers. These messages may look like they’re real messages from your bank, credit card company, etc., but they’re not. Never respond to messages containing requests for personal information or money; they’re usually scams. If you’re worried that you might really need to take action, go look at your most recent statement from the purported sender to find their phone number, then call them to verify that the message is authentic. When you’re shopping online, always make sure that you’re shopping on a secure and reputable site, type in your credit card details correctly, and check your credit card statement often for fraudulent transactions. Keeping your digital devices up to date can also help you avoid scams; operating system and software updates are designed to close security gaps that scammers might exploit.
- About Spoofing and Phishing
- Phishing Scam FAQs
- How to Identify and Avoid Phishing Scams
- Reporting of Phishing and Online Scams
- How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
- How to Recognize Phishing Attempts
Additional Safety and Security Information for the Home and Beyond
- Protect Against Home Fire Risks
- Kitchen Safety: Ten Tips for Families With Young Children
- Safety at Home and Child Safety
- Safety in the Home When Caring for Older Adults
- Worksheet for Making the Home Safer
- Top Home Security Products
- Fire Safety Awareness
- Home Fire Safety
- Weather Safety Tips
- Importance of Fire Safety
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