It’s so important to make sure you know how to stay safe online. So much of our lives happens online from gaming and talking to friends, to submitting homework and taking classes. Keeping yourself safe in the online world is more important than ever and is easier than you think if you follow a few simple rules.

Never give out personal information

Details about yourself like where you live or where you will be that day are yours and yours to keep, it may seem harmless to tell someone where you live especially when they’ve just told you, but make it a rule to only give very general information like your city to keep your privacy safe.

Trust yourself

If you feel unsure about something someone does or says, trust yourself and your instincts and just check with a friend or family member to see if what is happening is alright. Check before you click on links or visit new sites that you haven’t been to before, and remember you are in charge of your time and you can leave whenever you like.

Not everything you read is true.

Whether it be something a new friend is telling you or information advertising a link, in the same way you wouldn’t believe everything a stranger told you if you met them on the street, you don’t have to believe or even listen to everything a stranger tells you online. And remember, just because you’ve been meeting the same person inside a game or class, or other online environment for a while doesn’t actually mean you know them yet, questioning situations and people is a good thing and a friend won’t have a problem with you being cautious. Your trust is valuable and should only be given to the people in your life who have earnt it.

Keep your accounts private

Making your accounts private on social media apps can seem annoying but needing people to ask to follow you means you can invite the people who matter most, which makes them feel wanted and included and shows you who wants to be a part of your very own circle. Your accounts are almost like your bedroom at home, you wouldn’t invite just anyone in to your personal space and although the internet is a space you share with the rest of the world, this is your little corner of it and it is unique to you.

Remember your time online is supposed to be fun. If you see or read something that makes you feel worried or uncomfortable let someone you are close to know, they can help make sense of things and show you how to avoid it next time.