Internet Safety: Be Smart, Be Safe, Be Kind Online

The internet is a fun and helpful place. We can watch videos, play games, learn new things, and talk to friends. We can also share ideas and support community projects like self-advocate organizations such as the Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter and KSANews.ca.

There are many good things about being online. But we must also be careful and safe.

Not everything online is true or safe. That is why we need simple internet safety rules that everyone can follow.

Take 5 and Think Before You Post or Share

One of the most important internet safety rules is:

Take 5 seconds and think before you post or share anything online.

Ask yourself:

Is this kind?
Is this true?
Is this safe?
Would I be okay if others saw it?
Do I need help before sharing this?

Taking a short pause helps you make safe choices.

If something feels confusing or unsure, it is okay to stop and ask a trusted adult first.

Never Share Personal Information Online

A very important rule is:

Never share your personal information online.

Personal information means things like:

your full name
your address
your phone number
your school name
your passwords
where you are right now

Keeping this private helps protect your safety.

Even if someone online seems friendly, we should always protect private information.

Managing Screen Time

Screen time means how long you use devices like phones, tablets, computers, or games.

Screens are fun, but too much screen time can make us feel:

tired
stressed
distracted
upset

Healthy screen time habits include:

taking breaks often
going outside
sleeping well
spending time with family and friends
doing other fun activities

A good question to ask is:
Am I still having fun, or do I need a break?

Balance is important.

Cyberbullying: Be Kind Online

Cyberbullying is when someone is mean or hurtful online.

It can include:

mean messages
rude comments
teasing someone
leaving someone out on purpose

Cyberbullying can hurt feelings very deeply.

If you see cyberbullying:

do not join in
be kind instead
tell a trusted adult

Always remember:
Kindness matters online just like in real life.

Blocking and Reporting Tools

Sometimes people online are not safe or kind.

That is why apps and games have blocking and reporting tools.

Blocking means:

stopping someone from contacting you

Reporting means:

telling the app that someone is being unsafe or breaking rules

These tools help keep people safe.

Using them is not mean. It is a way to protect yourself.

Privacy Settings

Privacy settings help control who can see your information online.

You can use privacy settings to:

keep your account private
choose who can see your posts
block strangers from messaging you
protect your personal information

Privacy settings are important because they help keep you safe.

Always ask an adult if you need help checking them.

Avoid Oversharing

Oversharing means giving too much personal information online.

This can include:

where you are going
your daily routine
your school name
private family information

Once something is online, it can be hard to remove.

So always think before sharing.

Ask:
Would I be okay if strangers saw this?

If the answer is no, do not share it.

Algorithms and Online Influence

An algorithm is a computer system that chooses what you see online.

It decides:

what videos you watch
what posts show up
what content is suggested next

Algorithms try to keep people watching longer.

This can sometimes make people see the same type of content again and again.

That is why it is important to:

take breaks
try different activities
not believe everything online right away

You are always in control of your choices.

The Good Side of the Internet

Even though we need to be careful, the internet has many good things.

We can:

learn new things
watch helpful videos
talk to friends and family
share creative ideas
support self-advocate businesses and community projects like KSANews.ca and the Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter

These groups help people learn, share their voices, and build inclusion online.

The internet is a powerful tool when used safely and kindly.