Safety advice for children and young people
Bright Futures Personal Safety App
South Tyneside young women's charity Bright Futures and Northumbria Police have developed an app called 'Bright Futures Personal Safety App'. The purpose of the app is to provide a range of information, advice and sources of support for children, young people and parents around a range of issues.
The app contains information around substance misuse and former legal highs, confidence and self-esteem, mental health and self-harm, healthy relationships, grooming, online and e-safety, consent and exploitation.
The app also provides information on how to access further information and support locally (across Tyne and Wear) and nationally.
Download the app:
Think - before you go out
- Where are you going?
- How are you getting there?
- Who are you going with?
- Who needs to know?
- Take only the money you need and keep it in a safe place.
- How are you getting home?
- Is your mobile charged and got credit?
- Who will you contact in an emergency?
Stay alert - while you're out
- Arrange to meet up with friends and avoid travelling on your own
- Be confident and look like you know where you are going
- Where possible, stick to busy and well-lit pathways and places.
- Pay attention to what is going on around you
- Keep your mobile handy but out of sight
- Take notice of people you see on your daily journeys - report anything you think is strange to a teacher or someone you trust.
Stay safe - at all times
- If you have a problem or feel unsafe, don't panic and don't stop!
- If you suspect you are being followed by a person or vehicle, let people know you are in trouble by shouting for help
- Get away as quickly as you can - go into the nearest shop or busy place or join a group of people to make it look like you aren't alone
- Ask people to phone the police for you or if you can, phone them yourself (101 OR 999)
- Try to remember descriptions of people and car registrations numbers - but don't worry if you can't.
- Never arrange to meet up with people you don't know!
Tips for staying safe
Tips to keep yourself and your friends safe:
- Do not talk to strangers
- Walk to and from school in groups
- Do not take gifts from people you do not know
- Never accept a ride from strangers
- Tell someone you trust if someone is making you feel uncomfortable
- Report all suspicious behaviour and 'new adult friends' to parents/carers
- Never leave home without telling your parents/carers where you are going
- Shout loudly if someone is asking you to do something you are not happy about
- If you go out with your friends make sure you stay together even if you fall out
- Never take shortcuts. Always stick to routes selected by parents, and stay on the main roads
For more information visit Think U Know