Keeping Safe Online

Be SMART on the Internet!

There are some amazing things you can do on the internet - playing games, chatting to your friends, video calling friends and family, watching videos and learning new things.

However, it is also important to know that there maybe people online who could make you feel sad, embarrassed or upset. Following the SMART rules will help to keep you safe online.

Safe: Keep safe by being careful not to give out personal information to people you are chatting to online. This means not giving anyone your full name, home address, home phone number or your school name without checking with an adult first.

Meeting: Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. How do you know that they are who they say they are? You should never meet up with someone you have met online. 

Accepting: Accepting emails, instant messages like face-chat, or opening files, pictures or texts from people you don't know or trust can lead to problems - they may contain dangerous viruses or nasty messages. If in doubt, find an adult you can trust and delete it.

Reliable: Information you find on the internet may not be true, or someone online may be lying about who they are. 

Tell: Tell your parents/carers or a trusted grown up if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried online. Examples of trusted adults could be your teacher or other member of staff, your parents or grandparents or a family friend.

It is also important that, before you send any messages or pictures via email, or use your phone or tablet to access social media (Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, Instagram etc) that you stop and THINK – is it:

True   Helpful   Inspiring   Necessary   Kind

Please explore the websites below for more information on how you can keep safe whilst using the internet in a positive and responsible way.