Social Networking

Social-networking sites (SNS) make it really easy to be creative online, to keep in touch with friends and to use a load of cool stuff like video, photos, music, and chat all in the same place.

So how can you have great times online and avoid the net nasties? Carry on reading and watching to learn more about the SMART way to network online!

Top Tips

  • Always explore the privacy settings of your SNS to protect your privacy and to protect yourself from strangers.
  • Get your friends and family to have a look at your SNS to check that you aren’t giving out too much personal information or posting inappropriate photos/films because they might see something you’ve missed.
  • Keep your passwords to yourself.
  • Respect yourself and others online.
  • If you are unlucky enough to have a bad experience online report it to the service provider and tell an adult
  • Cyberbullying is NEVER acceptable. If you or someone you know is targeted by bullies online tell them 1) to report the bully to the website/service operator 2) keep evidence of the bullying behaviour 3) to resist the temptation to reply to nasty messages 4) To tell an adult.
Print Top Tips HERE »

Millions of people use Social Networking Spaces around the world

To make sure that you are safe from strangers have a good look at the privacy settings for your page. Adjust the settings so that only your real world friends can access your site.

Some people don’t make great decisions when they put information on the internet. If police see evidence of illegal activity in a film or in photos on a website or a mobile phone they can use this in court. Would you know what to do if you were unhappy about content posted about you online? Find out how to report to your Social Network.

Keep the internet a great and safe place let's stamp out these net nasties!

Sandy from the UK:

"I love the internet because you can create your own websites..."

HOW SMART ARE YOU?

  • Make your own widget from the digizen site.
  • If you have a Social Networking Space explore the security settings.
  • Get your parents to look at the digizen comparison table and read the privacy policy on your SNS
 

Images online

Photos and film are an important part of many webspaces. Always think before you post. Images stay online forever and can be copied, changed and used elsewhere.

If you wouldn’t be happy for your class teacher to see the photos of you on your SNS then maybe you need to edit your profile.

REMEMBER when you post something online, you are posting it on the biggest screen in the world to billions of people!

Video-hosting

You can network with people in lots of different ways. Some people are very interested in film and will use sites like YouTube to showcase their favourite films and link to people who like the same sort of things.

Remember that films on these sorts of sites aren’t classified in the same way as films at the cinema like - U, 12, 15, 18 so sometimes kids come into contact with films meant for adults only.

If you see a film that worries you or makes you feel uncomfortable tell an adult and remember you can report it to the website.

 

To post or not to post – that is the question!

Social Networking sites are becoming more and more popular. Some people spend ages making their sites look great by adding film, photos, text and music. So what things should you think about when you’re updating your site? Keeping your online space private is a good way to protect yourself online. This means that you have control over the people who are able to view your site.

Personal Profiles

If you have a public profile anyone who uses that site can see your stuff and of course not everyone online is trustworthy. Adding content to your site is part of the fun, but some things are better off not being added to your online profile. Personal information like your date of birth, your address, your mobile phone number and some photos are best kept offline.

 

Download....

Download this leaflet about Social Networking

...and show it to an adult so they can be SMART about online networking

Find Out More…