Online Safety -
How App Savvy
Are You?

There are a growing number of social media apps out there on the world wide web, some very well known and others not so much. Social media platforms have lots of advantages. They:

• Help you stay connected with family and friends wherever they are in the world
• Help promote and advertise good causes
• Help build communities of people
• Can provide a source of entertainment
• Help promote and advertise businesses
• Can provide up-to-date information about what’s happening in your area and further afield

Whilst the advantages of social media can’t be denied, there are also pitfalls and dangers we need to be mindful of. These include:

• Cyberbullying
• Hacking of social media accounts
• Fake news
• Social media can be addictive
• Impacts on individual’s mental health
• Can cause sleep issues
• Online grooming for sexual exploitation and radicalisation
• Can cause isolation and a false sense of what other people’s lives are like

Apps are easy ways for us to access various social media platforms – all apps can be used for both good and bad as described previously and it’s important that we remember that people on the other end of your messages may not be who they say they are. Children, young people and adults from vulnerable groups can be more susceptible to harm and exploitation through these platforms – the more we know about them the more we are able to protect ourselves and others.

If you are worried about interactions that are happening on social media, and you need support with how to deal with it you can contact the Safeguarding Team on: safeguarding@t2group.co.uk