Staying Safe Online: 10 Essential Tips for Protecting Yourself in the Digital World

Keep Your Personal Information Safe

Your personal information is valuable - not just to you but to cyber criminals too. Details like your full name, address, phone number and financial information can be used to steal your identity or commit fraud.

How to protect yourself:

• Avoid sharing sensitive information on public forums or social media
• Be cautious when filling out online forms - only provide what's necessary
• Use secure websites (look for "https" in the URL) when entering personal data

Remember: If you wouldn't share it with a stranger on the street, don't share it online.

Create a Strong Password

Passwords are your first line of defence online. Weak or reused passwords make it easy for hackers to access your accounts.

Tips for strong passwords:

• Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols
• Avoid using easily guessed information like birthdays or pet names
• Don't reuse passwords across different sites

Pro tip: Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely

Not Everyone Online Is Who They Say They Are

The internet allows us to connect with people around the world - but not everyone has good intentions. Scammers and predators often create fake profiles to deceive others.

Stay safe by:

• Being cautious when chatting with strangers online
• Never sending money or personal information to someone you haven't met in person
• Trusting your instincts - if something feels off, it probably is

Especially important for young people: Always talk to a trusted adult if someone online makes you feel uncomfortable.

Think Before You Click

One of the most common ways cyber criminals gain access to your information is through phishing - tricking you into clicking on malicious links or downloading harmful files.

Avoid falling for scams by:

• Not clicking on links in suspicious emails or messages
• Hovering over links to see where they really lead
• Being wary of messages that create urgency or fear ("Your account will be closed!")

When in doubt, don't click. Go directly to the website or contact the company through official channels.

Strengthen Your Privacy Settings

Most apps and social media platforms collect data about you - sometimes more than you realise. Adjusting your privacy settings helps control who sees your information and how it's used.

What you can do:

• Review privacy settings on all your apps and accounts regularly
• Limit who can see your posts, photos and personal details
• Turn off location sharing unless absolutely necessary

Bonus tip: Use "private" or "incognito" mode when browsing to reduce tracking.

Think Carefully Before You Share

Once something is online, it can be difficult - or impossible - to remove. Even if you delete a post, someone may have already saved or shared it.

Before you post, ask yourself:

• Would I be okay with a teacher, employer or family member seeing this?
• Could this be misunderstood or taken out of context?
• Am I sharing someone else's information without their permission?

Golden rule: If in doubt, leave it out.

If You Are Worried, Tell Someone

Online safety isn't just about technology - it's also about emotional wellbeing. If something online makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, or confused, don't keep it to yourself.

Reach out to:

• A trusted adult (parent, teacher, tutor)
• A friend or family member
• Contact us at CLSLearnerSupport@kent.gov.uk

You're never alone. Speaking up is the first step to getting help and staying safe.

Keep Your Software and Apps Up To Date

Software updates aren't just about new features - they often include important security fixes that protect you from the latest threats.

Stay protected by:

• Enabling automatic updates on your devices
• Regularly checking for updates on apps and browsers
• Avoiding outdated software that may no longer be supported

Tip: Don't ignore those update reminders - they're there for a reason!

Back Up Your Data

Imagine losing all your photos, documents or schoolwork in an instant. Backing up your data ensures you won't lose everything if your device is lost, stolen or hacked.

How to back up:

• Use cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive or iCloud
• Keep a copy of important files on an external hard drive or USB stick
• Set up automatic backups where possible

Peace of mind is just a backup away.

Turn on Two-Step Verification

Two-step verification (also called two-factor authentication or 2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. Even if someone gets your password, they won't be able to log in without the second step.

How it works:

• After entering your password, you'll be asked to enter a code sent to your phone or email
• Some services use an authentication app or fingerprint scan

Enable 2FA on:

• Email accounts
• Social media
• Online banking
• Any account with sensitive information

It's a small step that makes a big difference.