Did you know that when you like, share or comment something online you are may be giving away some information about yourself?
When you first set up a profile on an app or social media platform, you have to agree to the terms and conditions, or Ts and Cs. Basically, when you sign up to those rules you are giving the app permission to use your content and information. Giving permission to something is sometimes called 'consent' - digital consent is what you do and don't agree to sharing online.
Though it might seem we have no control over what social media platforms can do, we have some power to decide what we want to share and who can see it. The first step could be to make your account private so that only your friends and family can see what you post.
Another part of consent is thinking about the pictures or videos your friends, parents or guardians take of you. Have a conversation with them and let them know if you don’t feel comfortable with them sharing certain images or videos of you online. And of course, never post a photo or a video of your friends without asking for permission first.
Remember that having the confidence to say no is key to owning your life online. You should get to choose what you agree to being posted about you as this makes up your digital footprint.
For some good advice on avoiding tricky Ts and Cs traps, check out these tips - or find out how much you know about what you're consenting to online in this true or false quiz.
