Top Tips to Say Safe Online From School Nurses

School nurses are offering some top tips to keep young people safe as part of Safer Internet Day which will be celebrated globally on Tuesday, February 9; with the slogan 'Play your part for a better internet'. 

In championing a better internet, the theme aims to encourage people to play their part in making the most of the positive opportunities offered online, while giving them the resilience, skills, knowledge and support they need to navigate any onle risks they may come across.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) will be helping to support these key messages by signposting people to the recently launched Lincolnshire Healthy Teens website which offers advice and information on a variety of issues that concern teens, including online safety.

Dianne Dietzel, Operational Lead and School Nurse at LCHS said: "We understand that many young people have social media accounts and use the internet regularly which can sometimes lead to negative situations such as cyberbullying or talking to people they may not know.

"The website has lots of great information for young people around staying safe online including looking out for danger signs. It is important that young people are aware of the risks and what they should do if they are concerned."

Tips on how to stay safe on social media

• When choosing a profile picture for any social networking website avoid photos that could give strangers clues about where you live
• Check your privacy settings regularly
• Think about what you should and shouldn’t share
• Don’t upload or share anything you wouldn’t want your parents, teachers or friends seeing
• Use strong passwords, those that have a mixture of letters and numbers and always keep passwords to yourself and change them regularly
• If somebody you don’t know adds you as a friend, ignore them and delete their request
• Don’t share personal information such as your address or phone number with anyone you don’t know
• Always cover or unplug your webcam when not in use
• Don’t arrange to meet up with people you’ve met online
• If you read anything online that worries you, tell someone about it

Young people can visit their school nurse, whether they attend school, are home educated or attend an alternative educational placement. School nurses can be seen in school, in a clinic or community setting.

For more information on how your school nurse can help, visit: www.lincolnshirehealthyteens.nhs.uk 

Join the conversation on February 9 on social media using #SID2016