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Did you know that more crimes are committed against teenagers
than any other age group? Here are some things you can do
to keep safe on the streets....
Stay alert, and keep personal stereos/MP3 players
turned off, so you can hear what's going on around you, especially
when near busy roads.
Walk with confidence on the street and at a good,
steady pace. Keep your head up and observe your surroundings,
don't look down at the ground. When walking alone, stick to
busy, well-lit roads, and avoid short cuts through alleyways,
especially at night.
If you think someone is following you or feel threatened
in any way, show them you are suspicious by turning to look
at the person. It sends a clear message that you will not
be taken by surprise. You should then cross the road or go
to a place with lots of people around, like a bus stop or
shop.
Always keep your valuables out of sight when out and
about. You should keep your mobile phone on silent or vibrate
to avoid the ringer attracting attention when you are out
on your own. If someone does take a shine to your mobile phone
or mp3, and they try to take it from you, it's best not to
fight. These can always be replaced and it's not worth risking
an injury for.... Try to remain calm. Note the robber's appearance
and report the crime immediately to the police.
It's not just on the streets that teens can be vulnerable
to dangerous situations. Nearly all teens now use the internet,
which can also be a potential mine-field if you don't surf
safely. Be very careful what information you post on social
networking sites, as unsavoury people can learn a lot about
your life and daily routine from sites such as bebo and facebook.
Small pieces of information which you think may be irrelevant
can easily be pieced together to give clues as to where you
will be at a certain time, eg talking about meeting up with
your friends.
It can be easy to forget that the internet is not a private
space, and as result sometimes young people engage in risky
behaviour online. Never post any pictures, videos or information
on your profiles, or in chat rooms, that you would not want
a parent or carer to see. It's also not a good idea to open
files that are from people you don't know. You won't know
what they contain-it could be a virus, or worse - an inappropriate
image or film.
I hope you find these tips helpful!
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