Staying safe online has become even more important now that most people are working and studying from home. As well as allowing us to attend virtual meetings and classes/ lectures to help us carry on with our lives, most social interactions are now also virtual. From gaming to video calling our friends and loved ones, the internet offers us a lifeline to the world outside our homes. Using technology securely is key to staying safe and well in these uncertain times.

Apps and Technology – settings, uses and safety

Learning about popular apps and their settings, and your phone’s settings, will help keep you safe online.  There is lots of advice and guidance available to help you:

Saferinternet.org - explans what popular apps are and safety advice for each

Parents & Carers- What you need to know

Knowing your young people are at home can give a false sense of security. As many youngsters are using phones, tablets and laptops to engage with the outside world (virtually), it is important to know exactly what they are doing online. Here is a list of links to use to inform yourselves about what to check on and be aware of:

Think you know – Information and advice on keeping young people safe and how to report incidents

Parents Info -  Articles to help you support young people during the Covid- 19 lockdown

Kids and Young People – How to stay safe

The internet can be a great place to learn, have fun, be creative and to connect with others. Knowing how to keep yourself safe and thinking about your digital footprint can help you use the internet responsibly and positively.

UK Safer Internet Centre – Top tips for 11-19 year olds

UK Safer Internet Centre- Primary Zone – Resources for 3- 11 year olds

Fake News!

What is ‘fake news’?

“Fake news means stories that you see on social media and online, that aren't true. News that's 'fake' is usually either false stories that are not true at all or stories which have some truth, but the facts haven't been checked properly or the writer has exaggerated some parts of the story” (Newsround, 2019).

In a world where anyone can publish information, it is important to be able to separate fact from fiction. Don’t be fooled by fake news, stop the spread of false information and fact-check!

Below are some tools to help you identify false information:

Full Fact – Independent UK fact checking charity

Snopes – Fact checking resource

Google Image Search -  You can use Google image search to find out if an image has been published elsewhere online which can help you verify it.

InternetMatters.Org – A useful fake news guide

BBC - Three Golden Rules for Spotting and Stopping Fake News

BBC - Can you pass the fake news quiz? 

Fact or fake news? – Think U Know have some great resources to help you decide if something is fake or fact

InternetMatters.Org - Fake news, misinformation and coronavirus guide for parents -

How to spot fake news – International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions have put together a helpful poster which will help you develop your critical thinking when reading stories

Follow @MediaWise on Instagram and TikTok