How to stay safe online
Be online-smart this Safer Internet Day
The internet is full of content that can inform, connect and inspire us - but not everything is always as it seems. From fake news, to harmful, misleading adverts, the online world can be a challenging place to navigate, especially for young people. That's why having the ability to separate fact from fiction and speak out against inaccurate content is so important.
The 7th February 2023 is the 20th anniversary of Safer Internet Day and, in the UK, the theme is ‘Together for a better internet’. With that in mind, we look at some things to watch out for...
Don’t believe everything you read
Can you really believe that thing you just read? Does that headline tell the full story? Unfortunately, fake news and misinformation are rife on the internet – and it’s down to us to spot the difference between fact and fiction. Asking yourself these questions is a good place to start:
- Who’s the source?
- Is it being reported anywhere else?
- When was it written?
- Is it believable?
- Are the photos realistic?
News report or opinion?
From restaurant and hotel reviews, to personal blogs on everything from politics to celebrities – the internet is full of opinions.
Most of the time it should be obvious if what you’re reading is somebody’s point of view. But sometimes you may come across content that sounds as if it’s factual – for example, because of the tone and language it’s written in – however, on closer inspection it’s anything but!
Here are some things to look out for to help you figure out if what you’re reading is factual, or if it contains speculation, rumour, and opinion:
- Is it balanced? Are there facts or quotes to support each side of the argument?
- Does it allude to things that have not been proven, without any actual evidence?
- Does it include a person’s thoughts or feelings, which are not quoted?
- Did you come away from reading the piece feeling that the viewpoint of the writer is very clear?
Instagram vs reality
From the use of filters on photos to ‘picture-perfect’ scenes, it’s easy to exaggerate real life on social media. That’s why, when using these platforms, not always taking what you see at face value can help you to stay grounded.
The trouble is, nowadays we’re so used to seeing manipulated images that it can be hard to recognise the difference between what’s genuine and what’s most likely been edited – and then edited again. In fact, a survey by Ofcom found that young people more time on social media and electronic devices than they do sleeping.
This can lead some people to make unhealthy comparisons between their own lives and the perceived lives of others, which may, in turn, cause feelings of self-doubt, anxiety and lowered self-esteem. Next time you're comparing yourself to what you see on Instagram, keep in mind the following:
- Everything you see on social media has been carefully curated – and most likely filtered.
- Real life can’t be summed up in a single social media post – whether it’s a photo, tweet or video.
- Remind yourself that the people behind those social media accounts are normal human beings, just like you.
- Be aware of the negative consequences of overindulging on social media. Consider setting yourself a limit on the amount of time you spend scrolling each day, so you can focus on your own self-worth and goals away from the screen.
Talk it through
If you’ve got worries or concerns about something you’ve seen or read online, try talking it through with a trusted adult. Together, you may be able to come up with an action plan of what you can do to stop your worries in their tracks – from reporting false or misleading content, letting people know not to share it on, to reminding yourself of the pitfalls of social media.
Keep a healthy balance
From allowing us to find information quickly and shop from home, to communicating with people around the world, the internet offers endless possibilities. And during the pandemic, it’s been especially important in helping us to stay connected to loved ones and do things from home.
But as amazing as the online world can be, it’s important to switch off and do things that don’t involve your digital devices. Whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, doing a puzzle or playing a board game, there’s plenty of fun to be had offline too!
Find out more about Safer Internet Day by visiting www.saferinternetday.org