Safe on the Internet

You can encounter all kinds of problems on the internet. One problem could be that you are being bullied. This is called cyberbullying. When you are being bullied on the internet, you may have to send unwanted (nude) photos or turn on your webcam. It is also possible that the bullying is not sexually tinted, but that they say nasty things to you and/or belittle you. This is also very annoying.

Here are some tips on how to use the internet safely:

  • Shield your profile. On social media there are usually 2 options: public (here everything is visible to everyone) and private (here the things you post are only visible to people you give permission). To prevent nasty things, it is best to set your profile to private
  • Turn on your chat history so you have proof if something bad happens
  • Do not use your year of birth in your nickname
  • Always think carefully before you put something online, whether you really want to let people know that you don’t know well.
  • Only share information and photos that you would like to share with your family and friends
  • Think carefully before anyone wants to be friends with you. Do you know this person? Can you trust this person? Can this person see what you share?
  • Occasionally go through your friends list and delete contacts you don’t actually know
  • Do not send nude photos of yourself to others (especially not ones that identify you)
  • If you don’t trust something, don’t do it
  • Stand up against bullying

 

Report sexual abuse at: meldknop.nl. This is a website with information and advice about what you can do about unpleasant things on the internet. As a young person, you can talk to someone anonymously via this site or report a problem (this can be about online bullying, discrimination, nasty videos you see or if someone seeks unwanted sexual contact with you). You can also report it here if you have been scammed or blackmailed. You can request help by e-mail or telephone. If it is serious, you can report it to the police. Don’t do this for fun, because making a false report to the police is punishable! Are you curious about this website? Then click: meldnop.nl  

 

  • For questions about safety on the internet, visit the website: askhetdepolitie.nl. You can chat with the police about safety on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 7 and 9 pm. Would you like to take a look at this website? Then click SC: askhetdepolitie.nl
  • Never be left with a question. At www.mindyourownlife.nl you can talk free and anonymously via e-mail and chat with experts about bullying, but also about other things, such as alcohol, drugs or sex. Are you curious about this website? Then click: mindyourownlife.nl
  • You can look at www.pestweb.nl . Here you can ask all your questions about bullying via email, chat or in a telephone conversation. It’s free and confidential. Do you want to view this website? Then click: pestweb.nl

 

When you follow these tips, you are already a lot safer on the internet!