How to Protect Your Privacy Online

Your phone and apps make it easy for people to contact you. However, sometimes you may want to limit who can reach you. You can:

• Block unwanted contact (Android, iOS):

  • Stop specific numbers from calling or texting you

• Manage messaging privacy settings:

  • Change privacy settings so unknown contacts cannot add you to group chats or start conversations

Managing what others see on your social media helps you control your digital footprint and protect your privacy. You can:

• Adjust your privacy settings:

  • Choose who can see your posts and profile information

  • If you are unsure, choose the highest privacy setting

• Manage tags and mentions:

  • Choose who can tag or mention you

  • Review tags before they appear on your profile

Find out how to adjust the privacy settings on social media, gaming platforms and instant messaging apps here.

Your devices store a lot of personal data, such as messages and photos. To protect your devices and accounts, you can:

• Use a strong screen lock (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows):

  • Set up a passcode, Personal Identification Num (PIN) or pattern lock to prevent access by others

  • Use fingerprint or facial recognition as unlocking methods for added security

  • Watch a video on how you can secure your smart device here

• Set strong passwords and turn on two-step verification for accounts:

  • Choose long, unique passwords for each account that are long and made up of random words, with added numbers, symbols, and mixed cases (e.g. DinoDancingOnMoon2025!)

  • Activate two-step verification (such as one-time passwords or biometrics) for extra protection

• Activate protection in case your device is stolen (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows):

  • Turn on tracking and remote-wipe features to keep your personal data secure if your device is lost or stolen

Apps and websites may ask to access information on your device. To manage what data they can collect, you can:

• Control app access (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows):

  • Choose which apps have access to sensitive data like your camera, microphone, photos and location

  • Review permissions for each app and turn off sharing you do not need

• Monitor app data access using App Privacy Report (iOS) or Privacy Dashboard (Android):

  • See which apps are using your camera, microphone or location, and when this happens

• Manage how ads are delivered to you (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows):

  • Control how your information is used for ads

• Conduct a "Safety Check" for devices with iOS 16 and newer:

  • Use this feature to review, update and stop sharing your information with specific people and apps

  • Use the Emergency Reset to immediately stop sharing all information

Learn more about Android Privacy and Apple Privacy.

Your internet connection can impact your privacy and security. To stay safe online, you can:

• Avoid open or public Wi-Fi:

  • Open or public Wi-Fi networks can be easily intercepted and people on the same network may be able to see what you are doing

  • Avoid logging into personal accounts or sharing sensitive information, if you must use public Wi-Fi

• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN):

  • A VPN adds security by hiding your Internet Protocol (IP) address and encrypting your data. This keeps your online activity private, especially on public Wi-Fi

• Turn off automatic connections and forget old networks:

  • Ensure your device does not automatically connect to unknown networks

  • Remove any saved networks you no longer use to avoid connecting to them by accident

• Keep your home router secure:

  • Change your Wi-Fi password from the default

  • Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption to protect your network

• Avoid replying to their messages as it may encourage them to keep contacting you

• Block the person on each app to stop them from further messaging or adding you

• Adjust your privacy settings to limit who can see your profile or contact you across all platforms

If the situation escalates to online harassment or stalking, you may:

• Take screenshots of the messages and friend requests as evidence

• Report the account to the platform using its reporting tools

• Report to the OSC if the platform does not act on your report

• Reach out to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher or counsellor, for support and guidance

• Politely let your classmate know you are uncomfortable and ask them to check with you before tagging you in future

• Turn on the tag review feature to approve tags before they appear on your profile

• Limit who can tag or mention you, and untag yourself from posts you do not want to be linked to

• Regularly update your privacy settings to control who can see your posts, tags and friend list

If these steps do not work or if your classmate continues to post about you, reach out to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher or counsellor, for support and help in deciding what to do next.