Internet Safety: Be Smart and Stay Safe Online

The internet is a fun place to play games, watch videos, learn, and talk with friends. But some people online may try to trick or hurt others. These tips can help you stay safe.

Protect Your Information

Do not share private information, such as:

• Your address or phone number
• Your school or workplace
• Your passwords
• Your Social Security number
• Bank information
• Your schedule or live location

Check your privacy settings. Ask a trusted person for help if you need it. The Federal Trade Commission has more safety tips.

Use long passwords that are hard to guess. Do not use your name, birthday, or pet’s name. Use a different password for each account. Turn on two-step sign-in when you can.

Think Before You Click, Post, or Reply

Pictures, videos, and messages can be copied. They may stay online after you delete them.

Take a moment to check these things before you act online.

Before you click:

• Is this link or message from someone I trust?
• Is it asking for money, a password, or a sign-in code?
• Does something seem strange or too good to be true?

Before you post:

• Am I sharing private information or my location?
• Could this picture or message be copied or shared?
• Do I have permission to share someone else’s picture?

Before you reply:

• Is this person pressuring me, asking for secrets, or making me uncomfortable?
• Am I being asked to send money or private pictures?
• Do I feel safe saying no?

Remember: You do not have to click, post, or reply right away. If something feels wrong or you are unsure, pause and talk with someone you trust. You can always choose not to respond.

Be Careful with Online Friends

People online may not be who they say they are. Watch for people who:

• Ask where you live
• Want private pictures
• Send sexual messages
• Offer money or gifts
• Ask you to keep secrets
• Want to meet alone
• Get angry when you say no

You have the right to say no. Stop talking to anyone who makes you feel scared or uncomfortable. Never meet an online friend alone. Read the NetSmartz Social Media Guide for more tips.

Know When Someone Is Trying to Trick You

Some people take time to earn your trust before they try to trick you. They may act like your best friend, share your interests, give you gifts, or say you are special to them.

But someone may be trying to trick or control you if they:

• Make you feel guilty for saying no.
• Ask you to keep your friendship or messages secret.
• Say you must prove you care about them by sending pictures or money.
• Get upset when you talk to other friends or family members.
• Keep asking you to do things you do not want to do.
• Tell you not to talk to anyone about your relationship.

People can pretend to be someone else online. They may use fake profiles, change pictures with AI, or copy someone’s voice to trick you. A photo or video does not always prove that someone is who they say they are. Someone could even create a fake picture of you to embarrass you or threaten you.

Someone may be trying to trick you if they:

• Pretend to be a friend or family member and ask you for money.
• Ask you to buy gift cards, share a sign-in code, or send money.
• Threaten to share a private picture of you unless you pay them or send more pictures.

Know Your Boundaries

A real friend respects your choices and boundaries. You do not owe anyone pictures, money, or secrets to prove you care about them.

If someone pressures you, threatens you, or makes you feel uncomfortable:

• Stop replying and block the person.
• Save the messages if you can do so safely.
• Tell someone you trust and ask for help.
• If someone threatens to share a private picture of you, do not pay them or send more pictures.

Even if you thought the person was your friend, you can still ask for help. You are not to blame if someone tricks you.

Never Send Private Pictures

Do not send pictures that show private parts of your body. Someone may save or share them.

A person may threaten to share a picture unless you send money or more pictures. This is not your fault. Do not pay them. Save the messages, block the person, and tell someone you trust.

The free Take It Down service may help stop the sharing of private pictures taken before age 18.

Watch for Scams

Scammers may offer fake jobs, pretend to be someone who wants to date you, or try to trick you into buying or selling something. Someone may also ask you to buy gift cards, send money, or let them use your bank account to move money.

Stay safe: Never send money, share a sign-in code, or move money for someone you met online without first talking to someone you trust. Real employers should not ask you to pay them to get a job or use your bank account to move their money

Scammers may send messages like:

• “You won a prize!”
• “Send money now!”
• “Click this link!”
• “Do not tell anyone!”

Stop before you click. Do not open links or files from people you do not know. Learn more about how to recognize phishing scams.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

You can make a mistake online. You can also trust someone who turns out to be unsafe. You deserve help, not blame.

• If someone threatens you: Stop responding if it is safe to do so. Save the messages and account information, block the person, and tell someone you trust.
• If you shared a password or verification code: Change your password from a trusted device. If you use that password elsewhere, change it there, too. Turn on two-step sign-in.
• If you sent money: Contact your bank, payment app, or gift card company as soon as possible. Ask whether the payment can be stopped or reversed.
• If someone shares or threatens to share a private picture: Do not pay or send more pictures. Save evidence if you can do so safely, report the account, and get help.
• If you clicked a suspicious link: Do not enter more information or download anything else. If you entered a password, change it. Ask for help if you are unsure what to do.

Stop Online Bullying

Online bullying includes mean messages, rumors, or embarrassing posts. If it happens:

1. Do not answer
2. Save the message
3. Block the person
4. Report the account or post
5. Tell a trusted adult
6. Tell someone you trust
7. If it involves school, work, or a community program, report it to the appropriate person there

The PEERS App for Social Skills offers strategies for building friendships and handling social challenges.

Speak Up and Get Help

Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself. You can say:

• “Please stop.”
• “I do not like this.”
• “I need help.”
• “This person is threatening me.”

Visit Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination to learn more about speaking up.

Report someone trying to sexually harm or trick you to the CyberTipline. Call 911 if you are in danger now.

Make a Safety Plan

Choose two or three trusted people you can call. Practice how to block and report someone. The Utah Parent Center’s Life Hacks for Teens can help you build more safety and independence skills.

Protect your information, think before you post, and speak up when something feels wrong. You do not have to handle an online problem alone.