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Your personal safety

We all want to be safe. Here are some simple precautions you can take whether you are out and about, or using the internet.

If you are concerned about your safety you could talk to:

Don't Do Nothing

The campaign was designed by young people to help young people. It helps you to safely become an active bystander. You can use these skills to stop:

  • bullying
  • domestic abuse
  • knife crime.

You can make a difference by being an active bystander. You do this by stepping up and saying that what you're seeing is not OK. Check out the videos and resources created with the help of:

  • Maidstone and Malling Alternative Provision
  • the Northdown Road Family Hub Margate
  • elected members of the Kent Youth County Council
  • young actors from the Kent School of Performing Arts.

Learn more about the Don't Do Nothing campaign.

Safety Pin

Get help and find services even when your local family hub is closed. Just check out the Safety Pin list of resources to read up on issues or talk to someone today.

It could be:

  • mental health
  • domestic abuse
  • homelessness.

Whatever the issue, there is help out there for you. Get help now with urgent support and help for young people.

Friendships and relationships

Bullying

Are you worried that someone will bully you? Or are you concerned about someone close to you? There's many people you can talk to, either in person or online.

See what help is available.

Domestic abuse

Your relationship must be safe. No one should be trying to harm you or make you do things you don't want to do. If you are worried about your relationship or someone else's  see what help is available.

Find out more about domestic abuse.

LGBTQ

LGBTQ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning. These terms are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. There are many charities and support groups across the UK if you feel that you are in need of any guidance.

Find out who you can talk to if you need advice.

Relationships

Being a teenager and becoming an adult is an exciting time. It is important you make close and personal relationships with others. Every relationship is different, but it should always be based on honesty and trust.

Find out what support is available to you for future relationships.

Safety in the community

Doorstep crime

Doorstep criminals (also known as rogue traders, cowboy builders, building and gardening scammers) can visit your house without them telling you in advance. This is known as cold calling. They will try to convince you to agree to having work carried out on your house.

Learn how you can stop doorstep criminals and find out how to report them.

Phone scams

Telephone scams (mobile or landline) are the second most common type of scam in the UK, but many more go unreported. Fraudsters often use the names of well-known companies to commit their crime. They may try and say that your computer needs fixing, or question if you have been in an accident lately.

If you have received a text scam, you can report this to Ofcom by forwarding it to '7726' (which spells out SPAM).

Find out more about phone scams and how you can stop phone scams.

Radicalisation or extremism

We all have a responsibility to keep our county and the people in it safe. You can help to reduce the threat from terrorism, radicalisation and extremism by:

If you have seen a person acting suspiciously or if you see a vehicle, unattended package or bag which might be an immediate threat, move away and call 999.

If you're concerned about possible terrorist activity or risk of radicalisation and there is no immediate threat find out how to report it.

Online safety

Cyber crime

Using the internet can be good for:

  • talking with friends
  • shopping
  • doing school research
  • playing games.

But, it also means that you may be more vulnerable to online crime. There are many different types of cyber crime that you could be affected by and understanding the most common crimes and fraud can help you to avoid becoming a victim. To find out how you can keep safe online, visit one of the following websites:

Social media

Social media is a great platform to share your ideas, thoughts, photos, and memories. You can share them online with your friends, family, and others. Your profile can be private, or pupil. To use a social media app, you can use a computer, tablet, or a mobile phone.

Popular social media apps you may have heard of are:

  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram
  • TikTok.

Social media is a great way to share highlights of your life. But, you must always be aware of the risks when updating your profile.

Find out how you and your family can understand the risks using the internet.

Other types of online scams

Find out about the different types of online scams: