Online safety can mean many different things - making sure that your passwords are kept safe; knowing what do to if you are worried about cyber-bullying; making sure that you know who to alert if you are concerned about something online.
The Scottish Government works with partners across Scotland and the rest of the UK to ensure this information is available to anyone worried about these issues:
· For more information on the Digital Code, or if you are concerned about any aspect of internet safety, information and resources for children, young people, parents and teachers can be found at the One Stop Shop website - www.clickceop.net
· To download posters and information leaflets, go to the documents section of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety's website - www.dcsf.gov.uk/ukccis
· Young Scot has information on internet safety aimed at 11 -26 year olds, including links to further resources, games etc. http://www.youngscot.org/channels/education/?id=20127&a=d&sr=64
· If you are an adult concerned about 'cyber-bullying' (bullying behaviour that takes place via mobile phone or over the internet through emails, instant messaging and social networking websites), then RespectMe, Scotland's anti-bullying service has information about how you can discuss responsible use with children and young people and what you can do if a child or young person is being bullied or is bullying others - www.respectme.org.uk
· There are numerous websites online that either describe or encourage suicide and self-harm among children and young people. If you are concerned about the impact that these sites might be having on someone you know, you may wish to refer to some of the following sites which provide a range of factual information about preventing suicide and self harm, and which also provide useful information about positive mental health and wellbeing. They can also direct you to sources of support:
- - The Choose Life website acts as a central portal of information about suicide prevention in Scotland - www.chooselife.net
- - The Hands on Scotland website has a toolkit of responses and resources for people working with children and young people, to help promote their emotional wellbeing - including dealing with issues of self-harm - www.handsonscotland.co.uk
- - The Well Scotland website provides information and contacts for a people looking for support with a range of mental health issues - www.wellscotland.info
- - The Steps for Stress website www.stepsforstress.org provides information on some practical ways to deal with the stresses of modern life, and to help stress developing in the future.