11-18s

Together we can help make the internet a place of kindness and respect, not a place of hate. It should be a place where you can be yourself and express yourself – whoever you are.

Free speech is our right and allows us all to have a voice. The internet is a great platform to share our views with the world, however sometimes people can go too far online.

Watch this video to see when online hate goes too far and what everyone can do to prevent it. 

Post positively: we all can make choices to be kinder online

See what young people are doing this Safer Internet Day, and watch the animation created by 17 year old Keith about the choices we all make online….

Think before you post: there’s a person behind the screen reading what you post

Even words meant as a joke can be upsetting to others. Using terms that are offensive (for example to someone’s disability, sexuality or gender) can have lasting consequences on a person’s self-esteem.

Listen to Tamanna share her experiences of cyberbullying, racism and Islamophobia and the impact it can have…

Don’t suffer in silence

Speak to a parent, teacher or other trusted adult if you see or receive any abuse online. Look out for your friends and be there for them in person. If you don’t feel ready to chat to an adult, talk to a friend or get in touch with ChildLine online or call 0800 11 11.

Report to social networks and block anyone who is being mean

Social media companies rely on the community to tell them when something isn’t right; play an active role as a digital citizen and report anything that you think might break the rules.

Hear from Facebook about how they deal with online hate…

Find out more about how to block and report on our safety tools page. 

Can you say anything you want online? Know the law

Online actions can have offline consequences, and some things you post can even break the law. Find out more about how online hate can become a hate crime, and if you see anything online that you think might break the law then report to your local police or speak to an adult who can help you to take action.

Watch this film from the police to understand more about when online hate breaks the law….

Find out more about reporting hate crime at www.report-it.org.uk.

How can byllying online affect your mental health? 

Rebecca shares her story of  experiencing bullying online and the effect it can have on young people’s mental health. She tells us how in her work as a youth ambassador she supports other young people going through similar experiences. 

Experiences online when you have a disability

Liv shares her story about her experiences online as a disabled young person. What the negative but also positive sides of the internet are for her and how we can all play our part in making the internet a more inclusive and tolerant place for young people.