Digital and In-Person Safety Tips

Take control of your online presence. Trust your instincts, and if something feels wrong, talk to a trusted adult. You don't have to handle it alone.

What is a Trusted Adult?
A trusted adult is someone in your life who listens, helps keep you safe, and supports you, like a parent, guardian, teacher, or family member. If anything ever feels weird, wrong, or confusing, tell them right away!

Meeting In Person

• ✅ Always meet in public, busy places (like a school, library, or community center).
• ✅ Let your parents or guardians know where you are going and who you are meeting.
• ✅ In Technovation activities, you should always meet with other team members or a trusted adult present. Never meet alone with a mentor or volunteer, even if you know them.
• 🔴 If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe during an in-person meeting, you can leave, and you should tell a trusted adult immediately.

Internet Safety Tips

• Represent yourself thoughtfully: What you post online can be seen by more people than you expect and stays visible longer than you might think. Always be respectful, get permission before sharing others' photos or personal info, and think twice before posting.
• Respect others’ work: Always cite sources for research and creative work, and avoid plagiarism or piracy. When in doubt, ask for permission before using or sharing content created by others.
• Stay secure: Never share your personal information (address, phone number, passwords, ID numbers) with anyone online whom you don't know in real life. Be cautious of suspicious emails, messages, or attachments that ask for personal info or passwords, when in doubt, ask a trusted adult first.
• Trust your gut: If someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to face it alone. Tell a trusted adult, document the evidence, and block the user.