Top 5 Do's and Don'ts of Online Safety for Children

Here at The Code Zone, our members safety is our top priority when being online. Our DBS checked mentors are not only trained in how to show our members how to code their favourite games and animations, but they are also here to help them navigate the wonderful world of the internet in a safe and fun way. We spoke to our wonderful mentors and here are their top 5 do's and don'ts of online safety for children.
 

TOP 5 DO's

Sam: Do use Strong Passwords!
To keep yourself and your account self, it is always important to use strong passwords - and different passwords for different websites and apps. Be sure to share these passwords with your parents so they can help you to access you account if you ever get stuck. They can also then help you to navigate your account, get you set up and change any settings you need for you. 

Mary: Do check your Privacy Settings
It can be really fun sharing photos and statuses on different social media accounts and websites, but it is also good to check who you are sharing to. Make sure your privacy settings are set so that only your trusted friends and family can see them - then you can share your content safely! 

Luna: Do talk to your Parents or a Trusted Adult
Share you experiences online with your parents - let them know which websites are your favourites and what you like to do online. But also make sure to tell a trusted adult if you read or see something that makes you sad, angry, scared or uncomfortable - especially if it is in a message to you. Then they can take that off your shoulders and rectify the issue so you can continue to have fun online safely. 

Lewis: Do use Reputable and Reliable Websites
The internet is so big that you can find all sorts of websites with strange content, weird ads or even viruses sometimes! It is always best to stick to the websites you know and love, and if you want to find something new be sure to ask a parent to help you find it. They can also bookmark those websites for you in the future to make it easier to find again at just a click of a mouse! 

Jaz: Do be on your Computer, Tablet or Phone in Common Rooms 
Being online in the living room or dining room with your family is a great way for you to share your online activities. You have a space where your family and friends can join in with your videos and games - plus if you have a question or need some advice, someone is right there to help you. 

TOP 5 DON'Ts

Patrick: Don't share personal information
Though it can be fun to share photos and snippets of your life online, it is always best to make sure you only do this with family and friends. It is also important that you don't share your personal information like full name, address or birthday - instead come up with a fun online username like "TheCodingMaster"! 

Phoebe: Don't communicate with strangers
When online it is always best to talk to people you know in real life such as school friends and family members. If a stranger tries to start a conversation with you it is better to ignore them and to let your parent know. There are much safer ways to meet new friends online that aren't from real life like at our online Coding Game Dev Clubs! 

Ant: Don't download or install new things
It can be tempting to download a cool background image or a fun looking mod for your favourite game - but just because a file says it is the thing you are looking for doesn't mean it actually is that thing. You can name files to be whatever you want them to be and so you may downloading a virus without even realising. Instead, double check with your parents if you want to download something and they can check for a safe way for you to get the content you want. 

Lauren: Don't click on suspicious links
Just as Ant was saying about online files - links can also be named different things. You may click on a link for a game and then be accidentally led to a scary image of a spider... No thank you! Instead of clicking on random or suspicious links, your parents can double check it for you by looking at the source of the link. They can help keep you safe and also teach you how to spot one of these suspicious links! 

Tom: Don't participate in Cyber Bullying
I really hate bullying of any kind - especially cyber bullying! The internet is a fun place to create and learn so we need to be mindful of how we speak to each other. Be kind and respectful, just as you would in real life. If you see anyone being cyber bullied, or if you yourself have experience it, be sure to tell a trusted adult. They are equipped to deal with these situations and can help advise you on how to spot these situations in future so you can keep other kids safe too. 

All of our mentors have many more tips and tricks on how to stay safe online so if you are ever unsure be sure to reach out to use. And if your child would like to get a more hands on approach on understanding online safety whilst enjoying a fun coding club, be sure to try one of our FREE taster sessions for our Game Dev Clubs. We shall see you there!