Safety risks are much the same wherever we are – at school or home, in the shopping centre or playground, or on internet. The problem with internet and other online technology however, is that we can’t see the person at the other end of the communication. So we have to fine-tune other competencies and skills to compensate by developing what we call information literacy.

Strangely enough, many people who wouldn’t dream of leaving their doors or windows unlocked at home simply throw precaution to the wind when they are online.

Avoid giving away private information. Protect your data from indiscrete regards with technical filters, anti-spyware and recommended default safety settings on all your online equipment, from modem to mobile.

Many people act irresponsibly and feel less accountable when they believe they are acting anonymously – little do they realise that all actions on internet are traceable.

Irresponsible online behaviour raises a broad variety of safety issues ranging from online bullying and risky encounters in chat rooms to fraud when shopping online.