{"id":74,"date":"2025-09-24T16:45:47","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T15:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/?page_id=74"},"modified":"2025-09-24T16:49:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T15:49:57","slug":"being-safe-online","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/being-safe-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Being safe online"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 data-start=\"262\" data-end=\"322\">\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f <strong style=\"font-size: 22px;font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, 'Hoefler Text', Garamond, 'Times New Roman', serif\" data-start=\"323\" data-end=\"365\">Staying Smart, Safe, and Secure Online<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4 data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"390\">\ud83d\udcac Introduction<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"392\" data-end=\"585\">Let\u2019s be real \u2014 your life is online. Whether you\u2019re scrolling TikTok, gaming with friends, or finishing homework on your school\u2019s iPad, the internet is where you spend a big part of your day.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"587\" data-end=\"814\">But while the internet offers connection, entertainment, and opportunity, it also comes with risks. From cyberbullying to scams to strangers pretending to be someone they&#8217;re not \u2014 it\u2019s important to know how to stay safe online.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"961\">Here\u2019s your guide to being smart, secure, and confident online \u2014 with real advice and helpful links for both our young people &amp; their parents and carers.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"963\" data-end=\"966\" \/>\n<h4 data-start=\"968\" data-end=\"1007\">\ud83d\udd10 1. Keep Your Accounts Locked Down<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"1009\" data-end=\"1326\">\n<li data-start=\"1009\" data-end=\"1087\">\n<p data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1087\">Use <strong data-start=\"1015\" data-end=\"1035\">strong passwords<\/strong> (at least 12 characters, mix of numbers\/symbols).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1088\" data-end=\"1216\">\n<p data-start=\"1090\" data-end=\"1216\">Turn on <strong data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1133\">two-factor authentication (2FA)<\/strong> for your email, socials, gaming accounts \u2014 this adds an extra layer of security.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1217\" data-end=\"1277\">\n<p data-start=\"1219\" data-end=\"1277\">Avoid using the same password across different accounts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1278\" data-end=\"1326\">\n<p data-start=\"1280\" data-end=\"1326\">Never share your passwords, even with friends.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1328\" data-end=\"1483\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scotland.police.uk\/advice-and-information\/internet-safety\/keep-secure-online\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1483\">Police Scotland \u2013 Keep Secure Online<\/a><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1485\" data-end=\"1488\" \/>\n<h4 data-start=\"1490\" data-end=\"1519\">\ud83d\udcf1 2. Protect Your Privacy<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"1521\" data-end=\"1817\">\n<li data-start=\"1521\" data-end=\"1605\">\n<p data-start=\"1523\" data-end=\"1605\"><strong data-start=\"1523\" data-end=\"1549\">Think before you post.<\/strong> Once something\u2019s online, it can be copied and shared.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1606\" data-end=\"1723\">\n<p data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1723\">Don\u2019t share personal details like your full name, school, address, or phone number on public profiles or in chat.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1724\" data-end=\"1774\">\n<p data-start=\"1726\" data-end=\"1774\">Set your social media accounts to <strong data-start=\"1760\" data-end=\"1771\">private<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1775\" data-end=\"1817\">\n<p data-start=\"1777\" data-end=\"1817\">Be cautious about tagging your location.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1819\" data-end=\"1979\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/education.gov.scot\/resources\/safeguarding-online-abuse-and-exploitation\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1979\">Education Scotland \u2013 Online Abuse and Exploitation<\/a><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"1984\" \/>\n<h4 data-start=\"1986\" data-end=\"2031\">\ud83e\uddd1\u200d\ud83d\udcbb 3. Watch Out for Scams &amp; Fake People<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-79 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/public\/johnpaulacademydigital\/uploads\/sites\/11984\/2025\/09\/24163901\/IMG_0057-150x150.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>\u00a0 \u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-82 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/public\/johnpaulacademydigital\/uploads\/sites\/11984\/2025\/09\/24164157\/IMG_0059-150x150.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2033\" data-end=\"2302\">\n<li data-start=\"2033\" data-end=\"2142\">\n<p data-start=\"2035\" data-end=\"2142\"><strong data-start=\"2035\" data-end=\"2053\">Phishing scams<\/strong> can come through emails, DMs, or even fake game pop-ups. Don\u2019t click suspicious links.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2143\" data-end=\"2216\">\n<p data-start=\"2145\" data-end=\"2216\">Some scammers pretend to be friends, influencers, or even businesses.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2217\" data-end=\"2302\">\n<p data-start=\"2219\" data-end=\"2302\">Never give out your bank details or passwords \u2014 even if someone says it\u2019s \u201curgent\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2304\" data-end=\"2461\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scotland.police.uk\/advice-and-information\/student-online-safety-guide\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"2307\" data-end=\"2461\">Police Scotland \u2013 Student Online Safety Guide<\/a><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2463\" data-end=\"2466\" \/>\n<h4 data-start=\"2468\" data-end=\"2499\">\ud83c\udfae 4. Stay Safe While Gaming<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"2501\" data-end=\"2798\">\n<li data-start=\"2501\" data-end=\"2577\">\n<p data-start=\"2503\" data-end=\"2577\">Use in-game privacy settings \u2014 limit who can message or join your games.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2578\" data-end=\"2642\">\n<p data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2642\">Be cautious when talking to strangers in voice or text chat.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2643\" data-end=\"2721\">\n<p data-start=\"2645\" data-end=\"2721\">Report and block anyone who bullies, harasses, or makes you uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2722\" data-end=\"2798\">\n<p data-start=\"2724\" data-end=\"2798\">Never share personal info in a game, no matter how friendly someone seems.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2800\" data-end=\"2979\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scotland.police.uk\/advice-and-information\/internet-safety\/safe-internet-browsing-and-online-gaming\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"2803\" data-end=\"2979\">Police Scotland \u2013 Online Gaming Safety<\/a><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2981\" data-end=\"2984\" \/>\n<h4 data-start=\"2986\" data-end=\"3026\">\ud83e\udde0 5. Take Care of Your Mental Health<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-81 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/public\/johnpaulacademydigital\/uploads\/sites\/11984\/2025\/09\/24164150\/IMG_0061-150x150.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3028\" data-end=\"3279\">\n<li data-start=\"3028\" data-end=\"3107\">\n<p data-start=\"3030\" data-end=\"3107\">Social media can be fun, but it can also make you feel anxious or left out.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3108\" data-end=\"3196\">\n<p data-start=\"3110\" data-end=\"3196\">It&#8217;s okay to take breaks. Try turning off notifications or using screen time limits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3197\" data-end=\"3279\">\n<p data-start=\"3199\" data-end=\"3279\">Talk to someone you trust if you feel overwhelmed by online drama or negativity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youngminds.org.uk\/\">\ud83d\udd17 Young minds &#8211; support for young people across the UK<\/a><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3281\" data-end=\"3284\" \/>\n<h4 data-start=\"3286\" data-end=\"3324\">\ud83d\udea8 6. What If Something Goes Wrong?<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"3326\" data-end=\"3619\">\n<li data-start=\"3326\" data-end=\"3410\">\n<p data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3410\">Save evidence (screenshots, messages) if someone is bullying or threatening you.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3411\" data-end=\"3464\">\n<p data-start=\"3413\" data-end=\"3464\">Block the person and report them on the platform.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3465\" data-end=\"3537\">\n<p data-start=\"3467\" data-end=\"3537\">Talk to a trusted adult \u2014 a teacher, parent, or your Pupil Support teacher.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3538\" data-end=\"3619\">\n<p data-start=\"3540\" data-end=\"3619\">If you feel unsafe or threatened, contact <strong data-start=\"3582\" data-end=\"3601\">Police Scotland<\/strong> or <strong data-start=\"3605\" data-end=\"3618\">Childline<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3621\" data-end=\"3841\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cybersafescotland.org\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"3624\" data-end=\"3722\">CyberSafe Scotland \u2013 For Young People<\/a><br data-start=\"3722\" data-end=\"3725\" \/>\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"3728\" data-end=\"3841\">Childline \u2013 Online Safety<\/a><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3843\" data-end=\"3846\" \/>\n<h4 data-start=\"3848\" data-end=\"3874\">\u2705 Your Action Checklist<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"3876\" data-end=\"4136\">\u2705 Review your social media privacy settings<br data-start=\"3919\" data-end=\"3922\" \/>\u2705 Turn on 2FA for your important accounts<br data-start=\"3963\" data-end=\"3966\" \/>\u2705 Don\u2019t share personal info with people you don\u2019t know IRL<br data-start=\"4024\" data-end=\"4027\" \/>\u2705 Speak up if you see something dodgy online<br data-start=\"4071\" data-end=\"4074\" \/>\u2705 Take regular screen breaks and look after your mental health<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4138\" data-end=\"4141\" \/>\n<h4 data-start=\"4143\" data-end=\"4163\">\ud83d\udcac Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"4165\" data-end=\"4346\">Staying safe online isn\u2019t about being scared \u2014 it\u2019s about being <strong data-start=\"4229\" data-end=\"4238\">smart<\/strong>. You wouldn\u2019t leave your front door open \u2014 so don\u2019t leave your accounts, info, or privacy wide open either.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4348\" data-end=\"4416\">Stay kind. And speak up if something doesn\u2019t feel right.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4418\" data-end=\"4421\" \/>\n<h4 data-start=\"4423\" data-end=\"4441\">\ud83d\udcda Useful Links<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"4443\" data-end=\"5033\">\n<li data-start=\"4443\" data-end=\"4580\">\n<p data-start=\"4445\" data-end=\"4580\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4448\" data-end=\"4578\">Police Scotland \u2013 Internet Safety<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4581\" data-end=\"4686\">\n<p data-start=\"4583\" data-end=\"4686\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4586\" data-end=\"4684\">Education Scotland \u2013 Online Safety Resources<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4687\" data-end=\"4773\">\n<p data-start=\"4689\" data-end=\"4773\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cybersafescotland.org\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4692\" data-end=\"4771\">CyberSafe Scotland<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4774\" data-end=\"4899\">\n<p data-start=\"4776\" data-end=\"4899\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4779\" data-end=\"4897\">Childline \u2013 Online Safety Help<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4900\" data-end=\"5033\">\n<p data-start=\"4902\" data-end=\"5033\">\ud83d\udd17 <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdn.ac.uk\/smart-internet-safety-resources\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4905\" data-end=\"5033\">Be Smart \u2013 Internet Safety Resources (Scotland)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4900\" data-end=\"5033\">\ud83d\udd17 <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/wake_up_weds\">Wake up Wednesday by The National College<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"5040\" data-end=\"5080\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-80 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/public\/johnpaulacademydigital\/uploads\/sites\/11984\/2025\/09\/24163907\/IMG_0058-150x150.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-77 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/public\/johnpaulacademydigital\/uploads\/sites\/11984\/2025\/09\/24163844\/IMG_0055-150x150.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Staying Smart, Safe, and Secure Online \ud83d\udcac Introduction Let\u2019s be real \u2014 your life is online. Whether you\u2019re scrolling TikTok, gaming with friends, or finishing homework on your school\u2019s iPad, the internet is where you spend a big part of your day. But while the internet offers connection, entertainment, and opportunity, it also comes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24379,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-74","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/74","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24379"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/74\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/74\/revisions\/84"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/johnpaulacademydigital\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}