Being a Good Digital Citizen

Being online is not separate from real life — it is part of it. How you behave online affects real people with real feelings. Being a good digital citizen means treating others the way you would want to be treated, thinking before you post, and standing up when you see something wrong. It also means protecting yourself and your information.

Think before you post or share

Before sharing something, consider: is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Would I say this to the person's face? Would I be comfortable if my name was attached to it publicly? A moment of thought can prevent real harm. Remember that tone is easily misread in text — what you mean as a joke might land very differently.

Standing up to online cruelty

Being a bystander — someone who sees bullying and does nothing — is easier than being an upstander, but it contributes to the problem. You do not have to confront a bully directly if that feels unsafe. You can: support the person being targeted privately, report the behaviour to the platform, tell a trusted adult, or refuse to share or laugh at cruel content. Small actions add up.

Respecting other people's privacy

Never share someone else's photo, video, or personal information without their explicit permission. This includes screenshots of private conversations. If someone tells you something in confidence online, keep it confidential. Respecting others' privacy is not just polite — in some cases, sharing without consent can be illegal.

Looking after yourself online

Good digital citizenship includes protecting yourself. Use strong, unique passwords. Do not share personal information with strangers. Be sceptical of things that seem too good to be true. Take breaks when you need them. Your wellbeing matters just as much as being kind to others.