E-Cadets blog:
The internet is a great place to learn new things, talk to friends, and have fun, but just like in everyday life, it’s important to know how to stay safe and when to ask for help. As E-Cadets, we all have a responsibility to look out for ourselves and for others when we’re online, and this is something we have already been actively doing as a group.
Sometimes things happen online that make us feel uncomfortable, worried, or unsafe. When that happens, knowing where to turn can really help. We’ve learned how to use online support tools such as reporting users or content on apps, games, and social media, and how to block or mute people who are being unkind. We’ve also talked about trusted services like Childline and CEOP, and how reliable websites can give clear safety advice. These are all things we have practised and discussed together, so we know how to act quickly if something happens.
Offline help is just as important, and as E-Cadets we encourage each other to speak up. We’ve been reminded that talking to a parent, carer, teacher, youth leader, or E-Cadets instructor is always the right thing to do if something online is worrying us. By supporting one another and knowing which trusted adults we can go to, we’ve shown that no one has to deal with problems alone.
We’ve also spent time learning what is safe to share online and what should stay private. As a group, we understand that sharing general interests, hobbies, or schoolwork without personal details is usually fine, but we always stop and think before posting. We know never to share things like full names, addresses, school details, passwords, locations, or photos that could give away too much information. These are habits we’ve been building and encouraging in each other.
Most importantly, we’ve learned to trust our instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, we know not to reply, to keep evidence if needed, to block and report, and to tell a trusted adult as soon as possible. We’ve made it clear within E-Cadets that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
By putting all of this into practice, we’ve already shown how E-Cadets can lead by example online. We make smart choices, respect our boundaries, and look out for others, helping to create a safer and more positive online space for everyone.