Accessing the internet, and online safety
Advice and resources for children and young people about staying safe online and accessing the internet.
Getting online and engaging with the digital world is an important part of modern life. It is increasingly how our services are engaged with, where we find information and how we communicate with each other. On this page you will find information on how to get online in Wiltshire safely and where to get support.
For those who do not have their own devices, all libraries in Wiltshire offer access to computers with broadband internet connection and printing facilities. Visitors can be given temporary access to a computer for a short time with proof of identity. You will be asked to agree to our conditions of use, see our Computers conditions of use page for details.
If you wish to use your own laptop, tablet, or smart phone, you can connect to the WiltsOnline public wifi available in all Wiltshire libraries. Printing is not available over Wi-Fi, but the library computers can be used for printing.
Assistance can be provided by library staff, and and one to one sessions booked ahead. For more information visit:
If you would like support using devices you can find information on AbilityNet: IT support at home - How We Help and also Learn My Way.
If you are worried that somebody else is being bullied, or if you are struggling with this yourself, try to talk to someone you trust - a parent/carer, or guardian, and get the right help. If you are not sure who to turn to there are some services who can help:
Wiltshire SHOUT
Wiltshire residents can text 'WILTS' to 85258 to access free, confidential mental health support from a trained volunteer who will aim to get them to a safe and calm place. This will include coming up with a plan around how they can manage their mental health, and signposting them to local support agencies where appropriate. Trained volunteers can help with anxiety and stress, depression or sadness, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, panic attacks, loneliness or isolation, abuse and bullying.
This service is available to Wiltshire residents of all ages, it is available 24/7 and won't appear on the texters bill.
Childline
If you feel you are being bullied online you can visit Bullying and cyberbullying (childline.org.uk). You can also contact them directly for support.
'Speak out. Stay safe.'
This programme can support school safeguarding duties, it links directly to the curriculum and is offered at no cost to all UK and Channel Island Primary schools.
Schools are supported to deliver the online programme by their local School's co-coordinator. There is also a specially designed SEND programme version.
The programme supports schools in teaching children to:
- recognise abuse in all its forms, including bullying and online abuse
- know how to keep themselves safe by Speaking Out
- understand that abuse is never OK and is never a child's fault
- identify 'trusted adults' they can speak to if they are worried about anything
For the full information please visit Wiltshire Healthy Schools: NSPCC Schools Service (www.wiltshirehealthyschools.org).
Staying safe online means being aware of the different risks and ways to protect yourself. Wiltshire police have a range of pages of information to help with this. They also visit schools to talk about online safety, if you are an educator this can be booked by visiting the Wiltshire Healthy Schools: Police in the classroom (www.wiltshirehealthyschools.org).
Topics that you can find information about include:
- Sexting and staying safe online (wiltshire.police.uk)
- Online child abuse (www.wiltshire.police.uk)
- Cyber crime (www.wiltshire.police.uk)
- Useful contacts for advice about fraud and cyber crime (www.wiltshire.police.uk)
A supporting website which you may also find useful is the National Crime Agency's sexual abuse reporting and information site: CEOP: Thinkuknow - Welcome to CEOP Education
Setting up a social media profile
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter can be a great way to keep in touch with your friends. But do you know how to keep yourself safe?
Most social media pages ask you to set up a profile, this is information about you that other people can read. Be careful about how much information you tell people. You don't want to tell strangers too much. Here is some guidance on dos and don'ts:
Do
- use an unusual password
- keep your password safe - don't tell anyone
- don't use your date of birth, family names, your pets' name or where you live, these are easy to guess
- ask someone you trust to help you with your profile
- remember that you do not need to tell anyone where you are or where you live
make sure you have your security settings private or friends only
Don't
- share photos of other people without them saying yes
- tell people personal things about yourself
- talk to people who you don't know in secret
- don't arrange to meet an online friend in the real world without a someone being with you
- don't accept emails, friend requests/ messages or files from people you don't know
- use bad language, get into arguments, or insult people, this is called 'trolling'
- take it too seriously!
For more information about social support you may find Community Connecting a useful team to talk to. Please visit their page for contact or referral information:
There are all kinds of online support services and information sites for online safety, one of the most comprehensive is the UK Safer Internet Centre (saferinternet.org.uk). You can find a whole page of video lessons and materials for Parent/carers, guardians and professionals, specific to SEND and the internet (saferinternet.org.uk). NSPCC also holds lots of online safety advice, as well as being a helpline.
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