A few years ago, I used the story of The Little Red Riding Hood in my Children Yoga classes to reflect with the children about the concept of safety. This is still very much topical at a time when children need to be prepared prior to starting to walk to school in their own towards the end of primary school. I found children are very educated on the topic and would instantly talk about ‘Stranger, Danger' when asked about the behaviour of The Little Red Riding Hood. Nowadays, most children walking on their own have phones which can be traced, and this is a great tool, even though carrying expensive phones could potentially carry additional risks.   Children can be taught to trust their gut instinct when meeting interacting with other people outside of home, to follow their parents guidelines and general common sense, to be sceptical if someones offer you anything that sounds ‘too good to be true': it usually isn't.

However online, it is difficult to trust your gut instinct as older people can hide behind avatars and children might be very much less suspicious if they believe that they are talking online to their peers. Fortunately, schools and news have made consistent efforts to talk about online safety over the last 10 years.

As a child, using the internet can be a fun and exciting experience, but it's important to remember to stay safe, responsible, and aware while online.

What does it mean to be safe online?

Being safe online means being aware of who you're interacting with while playing games, using trusted sources when researching information, and knowing what to do if you come across anything that makes you feel worried, upset, or confused.

How can I manage my online friendships?

It's important to treat your online friends with the same kindness and positivity as you would in person. Remember that excluding someone from a group chat or game can be hurtful, so always strive to treat others the way you want to be treated. A.B. a psychotherapist, suggests, “socializing online can be fun. Try to use the same rules that you would use in the real world.” Always be polite and think carefully before sending messages, as words can be easily misinterpreted. If you have something important to say, try talking to your friend directly instead of relying on messaging.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying occurs when someone sends mean messages or shares photos without your consent. If you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying, it's essential to tell a trusted adult. You can also contact Childline at 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk.

How can I stay safe online?

BBC Own It has some excellent advice to keep you happy and secure while online. If you receive an unkind message, delete it, and speak to a trusted adult to block and report other users of the game or app. It's also essential to check your privacy settings regularly. Finally, if spending too much time online makes you feel anxious or upset, take a break for a while.