Safeguarding Adults Week: Cyber Safety

The world of connectivity through technology has made significant advances in the last decade, be it keeping in touch with friends, sharing content, learning new skills or for education or work. Utilising technology should be a positive way to communicate, share and collaborate and somewhere everyone’s psychological safety is respected. However, with instances of inappropriate use of technology on the increase, please find a number of ways to protect yourself online below as well as sites to be aware of if you do experience any issues online:

Good Tech Hygiene Top Tips

• Install 2-factor authentication across apps and devices where available
• Update your antivirus software regularly
• Avoid linking devices as much as possible
• Limit apps using location settings or only allow whilst app is in use
• Maintain your privacy settings on social media apps

The Cyber Help Platform is a useful resource for several support needs in the cyberworld, from social media, online banking, cyber staking, profile hacking and identify theft, this is a platform ran by cyber security experts who volunteer and can support with referrals and onward signposting.

Free and Confidential

https://www.thecyberhelpline.com/

Social Media Help and Support – Reporting

Information on reporting harassment or bulling on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/help/116326365118751

Information on reporting harassment or bullying on Instagram https://help.instagram.com/547601325292351

Information on reporting abuse on Twitter

https://help.twitter.com/en/safety-and-security/report-abusive-behavior

Information on reporting abuse on TikTok

https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/report-a-problem

The Diana Award and The Mix both offer a Crisis Messenger service, which provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you are a young person struggling, you can text THEMIX to 85258, or for specialist bullying support, text DA to 85258. Trained volunteers will listen to how you’re feeling and help you think through the next step towards feeling better.

NSPC Cyberbullying online support and information

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/#cyberbullying

Victim Support 08 08 16 89 111 Support line is open 24/7 and it is free, confidential and independent.

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/cyber-crime/

Please bookmark this page for future reference. Thanks for reading.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this article, please do contact Solo Support Services on: office@solosupportservices.co.uk or 0345 241 5565 & ask to speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads.