Protecting yourself online is something that’s drilled into us from school age, even more so now the internet has become such a monolith. That doesn’t mean that once you leave home you know everything there is to know about it. Even as adults, Safer Internet Day is important to check in that we’re doing all we can. Internet safety at university is more important than ever.
Just because we’re no longer children doesn’t automatically make the internet a safe place. In fact, as a student, you’ll spend more time online now than you ever did as a child. Whether it be university work, chatting with family back home or streaming films and music, the internet is part of your everyday life. It’s not just dodgy adults targeting children that are in issue; digital identity theft, fraud and much more are threats to adults alone.
What Is Safer Internet Day?
Starting in 2004, SID happens on February 7 every year. It aims to raise awareness about online safety, concerns and emerging threats.
Though it started as an EU SafeBorders project, Safer Internet Day is now recognised in over 180 countries. Run by InSafe, the campaign strives to empower young people online. It offers educational resources, helplines and in-person youthwork.
Safer Internet Day and the work InSafe do strives to connect countries within and outside its network through “harmonised promotion of the campaign.”
The internet and technology is a huge advancement and wonderful resource. Making sure that everybody, no matter their age knows how to use it safely is key now it’s become part of every day life.
In some ways, the internet can be even more dangerous if used incorrectly once you’re in university. You’re no longer in your own home where you might have had (unwanted) parental provisions. Even if you didn’t, for many now is a time for trying out online dating and being introduced to an influx of new people. You become in charge of your own internet use and online profile and it’s something you might not be immediately prepared for.
The implications of being unsafe online can be huge, particularly on your mental health. That’s why you shold never think that you’ve heard it all before and refresh your internet safety knowledge.
Ways That Can Students Be Safe Using The Internet
Sure, you’ve probably heard all this before and you may be eye-rolling your way through it, but it’s important to reaffirm what you should and shouldn’t do, particularly when it’s tempting to be risky. Internet safety at university is just as important as any other time of your life.
Online Dating
First things first, don’t get out persona information to the first cute person you start chatting to online. It’s tempting, but at least wait until you’ve chatted to them a few times first. Even when/if you decide to meet up in person, make sure it’s somewhere in public well in view. You’ve heard it all before, but the freedom of university can be a little whoozy and you think you can take on anything. Anyone can be anybody on the internet, so just be cautious before giving out an address, where you study, your commute etc.
When you’re a teenager and you get into Snapchat and the like, images and video sharing becomes very popular. Though it has definitely already been drilled into you, what you put out on the internet stays there. So, if you’ve been on a night out and want to share an intimate photo, it’s a always better to reconsider when your sober. Similarly, if you have a comprising or embaraasing photo of someone else, don’t share it online.
Writing University Essays
Sometimes, online resources are too good to be true. Your university will warn you about AIs or paid essay writers for a lot of different reasons. One of them is that they can just take your card details and be off with it. With the amount of essays you have to do, not going about them the proper way can be tempting. But it’s never worth it for either plagiarism reasons or internet safety.
Suddenly being thrown into the adult world is am exciting as it is terrifying. But Safer Internet Day is here to remind us all that anyone can be targetted and it’s easy to misuse the internet. If you do find yourself in a position where you’ve put yourself at risk, don’t stay silent. Reach out to friends, family and the university to seek guidance and support.