Online Safety

Spending time online is something almost every young person does. It is a great way of keeping in touch with people you know or learning things about the world around you.

The problem is that sometimes some people use the internet to bully or abuse others or trick them into doing something that causes worry, embarrassment or even puts them in danger. This can make you feel like there is nowhere to get away from the bullying.

It is not alright for people to bully you or to take advantage of you online.

Sextortion - Having your nudes shared can feel scary, and it can leave you feeling worried or even ashamed. But it’s not your fault.  Report Remove is here to help young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet – you can report images or videos anonymously. It also aims to prevent them from being uploaded on platforms.

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command) has created a new website for teenagers called 'The Internet, Relationships & You' and offers advice on socialising online, online safety, getting support and sexual content online. CEOP is a part of the National Crime Agency.

Don’t keep things to yourself – speak to someone who can help you or report it:

 Here's more information from childline to help understand online abuse and how to stay safe 

Useful links:

• Online Grooming
• Social Media Safety Top Tips
• Digital childhoods: a survey of children and parents by the Children’s Commissioner for England.

And finally...
A True Story of Bullying and Exploitation Online, by a young person in Cornwall.

A short animated film created by a young person with Start Now Cornwall and Jon from Pirate FM