There are hundreds of organisations and websites providing information, support, advice and guidance specifically for children, young people, parents and educators.

From knowing your legal rights and developing digital skills, to support with a wide range of issues from bullying, to mental health or reputational management.

Many of the most popular social networking sites have very good internal support systems which are listed, and we have given some useful links to download extensions, add-ons and features to help you be in control of your experience online.

The contacts we list below is by no means complete, but we hope it is a simple guide in which you will find organisations and support that will make you more creative, knowledgeable and fearless in the digital world.

We welcome further contributions to this list.

The Right to
Remove

Every child and young person should have the right to easily edit or delete all content they have created.

On our website we do not have comment or posting capability. The only thing that you can upload is your name as a signatory. Should you wish to remove your name, please use the contact box and we will remove your name immediately and without question.

The Right to
Know

Children and young people have the right to know who is holding and profiting from their information, what their information is being used for and whether it is being copied, sold or traded.

The iRights website does not capture your data unless you use the contact box. We will not use your correspondence publically without your permission and if you are under 18 we are happy to delete it at any time.

Below are some useful links and organisations that will give you more control over your own data in more complex settings.

AdBlock – is an extension that can be used on Chrome, Safari, Opera and Firefox. Once downloaded, it blocks all advertisements on all web pages, even Facebook, Youtube, and Hulu. It works automatically: just click “Add to Chrome,” then visit your favourite website and see the ads disappear!

Chrome’s Incognito – Pages that you view in incognito tabs won’t stick around in your browser’s history, cookie store or search history after you’ve closed all of your incognito tabs. Going incognito doesn’t hide your browsing from your employer, your internet service provider or the websites that you visit.

Internet Explorer’s In Private browsing – helps prevent Internet Explorer from storing data about your browsing session. You can select to use both on the tool bar at the top of your internet browser.

Mozilla Firefox Lightbeam – helps you see who’s tracking you online. It is a Firefox add-on that visualises who is collecting your data as you browse. Lightbeam reveals the full depth of the Web, including parts that are not transparent to the average user.

The Right to
Safety And Support

Children and young people should be confident they would be protected from illegal practices, and supported if confronted by troubling or upsetting scenarios.

We don’t think that there is anything on this site that will upset you – but if there is LET US KNOW. Use the contact box. But like the real world, the virtual world – can be bewildering and upsetting. And, sometimes there are serious acts of illegality.

In many situations both online or offline, the very first thing to do is to talk to a trusted adult. If you do not have a trusted adult to talk to, Childline (who work with young people up to 19) or CEOP– they are both are available 24/7. Talking and helping you is what they are there for the contact is below.

Many organisations specialise in one area or provide a single service so may be ‘exactly’ what you are looking for. We have tried to explain what each organisation does clearly but we encourage you to follow links, look at website and feel able to try one or more organisation until you find the support you need.

Childline – ChildLine is private and confidential – in spite of its name it routinely deals with young people up to the age of 19. You can contact a ChildLine about anything – including cyberbullying, online grooming and sexting – and no problem is too big or too small. The Childline website includes information and advice , you can call free on 0800 1111, have a 1-2-1 chat online or send an email.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) – CEOP helps children and young people who are being approached online about sex or are suffering sexual abuse. It includes information and advice for different age groups and anyone can use the site to report inappropriate behaviour such as sexual chat, being asked to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable, or someone being insistent on meeting up. CEOP Thinkuknow is the information and advice pages of CEOP.. The site is divided into sections for different audiences: 5-7 year olds, 8-10, 11-13, 14+, teachers and trainers and parents and carers.

Barnardos – Barnardos have a good overview of the threats to children’s safety online, guidelines on internet use and on using chat rooms and email – all on the Internet Safety pages of the website.

Childnet International – Childnet International has information and resources for children and young people, teachers and professionals and parents . It provides a comprehensive overview on internet safety through a range of resources, videos and simple top tip lists – for each of the audiences.

South West Grid for Learning – South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Trust is a charitable trust providing schools and other establishments with safe, secure, managed and supported connectivity and associated services. SWGfL founding member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety and an advisor to Governments and the lead partner in the UK Safer Internet Centre.

Their team provide schools with expert advice and guidance, via the website, email and phone (0845 601 3203)

Ditch the Label – Ditch the Label works in the area of bullying and mental health. Founded by a young man who was badly bullied at school the site offers help and gives young people the change to share their experience of bullying.

Gamblers Anonymous – Online gaming and addiction is on the rise. Gamblers Anonymous hold meetings all over the UK and hosts over 170 meetings per week and they recommend that anyone that thinks they may have a addiction or gambling problem go to one of these meetings to get help and support in a friendly environment.

Young Minds – YoungMinds is committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Driven by the experiences of young people, Young Minds campaign, research and influence government policy and practice. The website offers information for young people, parents and professionals.

Youthnet – Youthnet provides information and emotional support for young people in the UK. They provide accurate information and support on mental health, housing, relationships and employment through their sister website TheSite.org. Young people offer peer to peer advice through Youthnet.

Get Connected – Get Connected is a free, confidential and multi-issue helpline service for young people under 25 who need help, but don’t know where to turn. Their service is available 365 days a year over the phone, via web chat, email or using their free app. The Get Connected website also includes a searchable directory of support services, including bullying, harassment and racism that may be experienced online. Trained volunteers offer emotional support as part of the service and can signpost young people to other trusted organisations across the UK for sources of further specialist help.

National Youth Advocacy Service – Provides information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to young people up to 25 through a network of advocates through England and Wales. Call 0808 808 1001 or email [email protected].

BBFC – The BBFC is a trusted guide to media content. They aim to protect the public, and especially children, from content which might raise harm risks and empower the public to make informed viewing choices. The website has information on each of the classifications from U through to 18R and a section with education resources, news and guides for students and teachers.

Samaritans – Provide a 24 hour service offering emotional support for people of all ages across the UK. Call 0845 790 9090 (Republic of Ireland – 1850 60 90 90) or email mailto: email [email protected].

SupportLine – Support Line provides emotional support and information relating to other helplines, counsellors and support groups throughout the UK, including helplines and face to face for young people:
Call 01708 765200, email [email protected]

Digital Awareness UK – Digital Awareness UK campaigns for better e-safety standards, as well educating young people aged 4 to 18 on how to enjoy using technology responsibly. They do this by delivering workshops and assemblies in schools and providing information and resources to help teachers and children with issues such as cyberbullying, security, sexting, digital footprint and tech careers.

Filter inappropriate content from your home network – New government guidelines may require Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) to provide adult content filtering to homes, but the big providers already are. This article provides links to their video guides to help you to download and set-up the controls offered by your provider.

Internet Watch Foundation – The Internet Watch Foundation is a UK Hotline for reporting criminal online content including child sexual abuse content and criminally obscene adult content. Reports are confidential and can be made anonymously.

UK Safer Internet Centre – The UK Safer Internet Centre is coordinated by a partnership of three leading organisations also listed here; Childnet International, the South West Grid for Learning and the Internet Watch Foundation. The centre has three main functions: an Awareness Centre, a Helpline and a Hotline.

Social media sites – many of them have very good information to help you with your privacy settings, disputes, social problems on their site – they are less good about helping you ‘get off line’ and for the most part their business model is reliant on gathering your data.

Instagram – Instagram help centre includes helpful information on controlling visibility, reporting something and blocking people, as well as specific tips for parents. It has easy to read Community Guidelines and legal Terms of Use.

Facebook – Facebook has a Safety Centre with information for parents, teens and teachers, including information on the laws around internet safety. Information on your rights, privacy and sharing content can be found in Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.

Snap Chat – have a Safety Centre includes Community Guidelines, Safety information and advice for parents and teachers. Resources, including Snapchat’s Law Enforcement Guide and links to other helpful sites are included in the safety centre – in addition to its Terms of Use.

Twitter – Twitter has advice and information on Safety and Security, helping you to control your settings and experience and telling you how to deal with online abuse and issues. Read Twitter’s Terms of Service.

WhatsApp – Whatsapp’s legal and privacy information is found in one place, including a note on its Commitment To Childrens’ Privacy.

YouTube – YouTube has a Safety Centre with specific advice for parents, educational professionals and young people and Community Guidelines to help you use the site safely.

The Right to
Informed And Conscious Use

Children and young people should be empowered to reach into creative places online, but at the same time have the capacity and support to easily disengage

The iRights website does not have any alerts, rewards, content or technology to keep you on the site. But almost all commercial sites do. Setting limits and understanding how the digital technology distracts and attracts – is an important part of taking control of technology rather than it controlling you.

One of the things you can do, is be rigorous about turning off all the alerts, buzzes and intrusions on your devices and the programmes you use. Follow the instructions normally listed under ‘settings’. We are working on some more user friendly ways of making sure you understand how the technology is competing for your time and attention.

The Right to
Digital Literacy

To access the knowledge that the Internet can deliver, children and young people need to be taught the skills to use and critique digital technologies effectively.

Understanding iRights will give you a better understanding of how digital technology is structured and how you might change your relationship to it. Being a digital creator can be very empowering – and understanding your rights and responsibilities – make you more literate.

Codadojo teaches young people, from 7-17, how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and explore technology in an informal and creative environment. As part of the training young people get to meet like-minded people and get exposed to the possibilities of technology. Codadojo focus on community, peer learning, youth mentoring and self-led learning, with an emphasis on showing how coding is a force for change in the world.

Apps for Good – Apps for Good is a technology education movement. They teach coding and the fundamentals of the digital world, while also developing skills in problem solving, creativity, communication and teamwork – in schools to students 10-18.

Barclays Digital Driving License – Barclays Digital Driving License is endorsed by City & Guilds and aims to create a “digital savvy society”. It is an interactive learning resource, with several modules for you to complete and gain an ‘Open Badge’ accreditation. Module topics include a Beginners Guide to the Internet, Online Safety, Security and Fraud and Secure Mobility. They also run free sessions in many of their branches.

Young Rewired State – is a worldwide community of digital makers aged 18 and under. Members are introduced to like-minded peers and expert mentors at free events around the world. At the events, members use freely available open data to build apps, websites and algorithms to solve real world challenges. They run an annual Festival of Code for 1,200 young people to take place in different locations and they are developing their work to support young people more all year round.

Digizen – The Digizen website provides information for educators, parents, carers, and young people to strengthen their awareness and understanding of what digital citizenship is and encourage all users of technology to be and become responsible DIGItal citiZENS.

Wiki How: Computers and Electronics – Articles and information on the internet include; keeping your digital memories safe, internet addiction and un-googling yourself.

Digital Unite – Digital Unite provide products and services to support digital skills learning, for individuals and organisations. On the website you can find a range of free online technology guides, a network of computer tutors, courses and an online community of digital champions, ready to help you.

Digital Skills – Digital Skills is a website that aims to help everyone in the UK to get connected. It has a catalogue of online resources – for individuals of all ages, organisations and businesses alike. There are sections specifically aimed at parents and families .

It shares specific advice and resources on issues such as social networking and cyberbullying and how these relate to and affect their own and other people’s online experiences and behaviours.

Freeformers – Freeformers is specifically for companies. Their aim is to enable companies big and small to operate at the speed of digital. They provide hands-on training programmes on a range of topics including Digital Marketing and Cyber Security for individuals, teams and companies and for every person they train, they train and young person for free.

Go On UK – Go ON UK is the UK’s leading digital skills charity, with a vision for everyone to have the Basic Digital Skills they need. Go ON UK was established in 2012 by Baroness Lane-Fox to combat digital exclusion and works with government, public, private and not-for-profit organisations to achieve this aim. Its Digital Skills website provides a catalogue of resources for people of all ages wanting to improve their online skills.

Parentzone – is specifically for parents. The website is a hub of a wide-range of useful information and articles on ‘Digital Parenting’. With top tips and practical ideas, it is a go-to website for any parent wanting guidance and support on their children and the internet.