What can go wrong?

It’s so easy to post online now - from your computer, digital camera or mobile, that often we do so without thinking. Sometimes we post things we wish we hadn’t and want to get them removed. Most sites will have a delete post option, but remember that once you have put something up – anyone can save it and re post.

Video hosting sites like YouTube do have the ability to take down inappropriate or offensive content. The video will need to be illegal or to have broken the terms and conditions of the site. On YouTube you can report by creating an account and logging in, once you have done this – you can ‘flag content as inappropriate’. This option can be found under the video itself.

Some people without good intentions can try to persuade you to post inappropriate or sexual content online either via your digital camera, phone or on webcam. If you feel uncomfortable about anything that anyone asks you to do online, in a chat area, IM, social networking site or elsewhere – block them and then report it. - ‘CEOP report’ You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to – even if you have done it before; so be strong with these people and say no if your instincts tell you it's not right. Watch our film ‘Consequences’ here

The web is open for anyone to post material on it and that means sometimes there are things that you’ll see, which you wish you hadn’t.

If you see something that you just don’t like, just close the screen on your laptop or turn off the monitor and go and an adult you trust. If there’s no one around, close the site using the cross at the top of the browser. If you think the content might be illegal, like racist hate sites or pictures of children being abused you can report it directly to an organisation called the internet watch foundation: www.iwf.org.uk. If the thing you don’t like is a person – so for example, someone exposing themselves on webcam or sending you indecent pictures – you can report that to CEOP and we will help. Use ‘CEOP report’

Unfortunately, as well as great people, there are some really strange people who use the internet - people who aren’t friendly or who have bad intentions. If someone is being nasty to you online or on your mobile, have a look at our bullying section for help and practical advice.

If someone is being inappropriate; saying sexual things or asking you to do things that you feel are wrong, start by saving the conversation, blocking them and then report it to CEOP using ‘CEOP report’ Sometimes, people can seem really friendly and then do things which make you question the friendship and make you feel weird.

People who are looking to abuse young people online will often manipulate relationships and pressure you into doing things you feel uncomfortable with. Examples of this can include talking in a way that you don’t like, asking you to do things on webcam or with your camera that feel wrong or uncomfortable or making you feel anxious or trapped in a romantic or sexual relationship.

The first thing to realise about this kind of relationship is that it is wrong. Adults who pressure young people into doing anything that they don’t feel comfortable with should be reported using ‘CEOP report’ and blocked. They can be very clever and make you feel as though you have to do something because you owe them, or because otherwise they will get you in trouble.

This is wrong and you should report them.

NO!

You need to know that you won’t be in trouble, whatever you have done. These adults are sometimes very skilful at making those they abuse or try to build a relationship with, feel guilty about what has happened. They do this to try and make the young person keep quiet about what has happened. It can make you feel unsafe and dirty. If someone does this to you, the responsibility for what happened is theirs, not yours and you can talk it through with a number of different people. Find out who here.