Lancashire Police notice

Live web chat to mark Safer Internet Day – 7th February 2012

Lancashire Constabulary holding a special interactive web chat to discuss the importance of staying safe online on Safer Internet Day (Tuesday 7 February).

Detective Chief Inspector Hazel Stewart from the Public Protection Team, will be holding the web chat from 12.30pm – 1.30pm on Tuesday 7th February, via the Constabulary website www.lancashire.police.uk and simultaneously on www.facebook.com/lancspolice

It is the ninth year of the annual ‘Insafe’ campaign, which is celebrated in over 65 countries to recognise the importance of the internet, how to get the most out of it and how to use it safely and responsibly. This year the campaign is centred on the theme ‘connecting generations and educating each other’ and as such Lancashire Constabulary is asking young and old to come together to ‘discover the digital world together…safely.’

Young people are often more very comfortable with the internet, but they may not be quite as savvy when it comes to online safety. The police are asking parents, carers and teachers to work with young people to advise them about how to protect themselves while on the internet, and youngsters can then return the favour by sharing their knowledge too.

Safer internet tips for adults -

• Make sure your firewall and anti-virus software is up to date.
• Use different passwords for different sites.
• Use secure and official sites (look for the padlock sign) when making purchases on-line.
• Keep back up copies and print outs of on-line documents.
• Do not disclose bank details as proof or age or identity.
• Don’t reveal personal details to people you meet, or who contact you, on-line.

Safer internet tips for children and young people

• Never give out personal details to online friends if you do not know them offline.
• Remember people online may not be who they say they are – use caution when chatting to people who you do not already know.
• Never arrange to meet up with strangers without an adult present who you trust.
• Think carefully about the information and pictures you post on your profiles. Once published online, anyone can change or share these images of you.
• Don’t open files from people you do not know – they may contain viruses which could damage your computer.
• If you feel uncomfortable about anything that happens online tell an adult.

Further safety tips can be found on www.lancashire.police.uk and information about Safer Internet Day is available at www.saferinternet.org.

NB  This is all in place of criminal detection.