TICS

Digital Safety and
Wellbeing

Safety and
Security

Tips for keeping your devices safe

Back-up your data

Be aware of the limitations of cloud storage.

Use strong passwords

Always log out of public computers once your session has ended

Use Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an added layer of protection when

accessing open (unencrypted) Wi-Fi hotspots

Use anti-malware software

Keeping your personal data safe

If you use the same password for all websites or overshare on
Facebook you will be a target for cybercriminals. Some important
steps to keep yourself and your data safe online are:

●use strong passwords

●control your privacy settings

●choose whether or not to accept cookies

Digital footprints

What is a digital footprint?

Have you ever explored your
digital footprint?

Investigate your digital footprint

It can often be surprising to find out how much information about
ourselves is available online. In this activity you are going to
explore your Digital Footprint to discover what information is
available about you.

1.

Visit: https://datadetoxkit.org/en/privacy/search/

2.

Follow the instructions to prepare your browser.

3.

Perform the first two searches: name and picture. We
recommend that you go on to do more when you have time, but
for the purposes of this exercise, do those two.

4.

Spend about 15 minutes exploring the results of your searches.

5.

Return here to answer the questions below.

Discussion points

●What were your reactions to the information you found about
yourself?

●Was there anything surprising or unexpected?

●Did you take any action as a result of what you found?

Digital Wellbeing

What is Digital Wellbeing?

According to Jisc, a UK digital education organisation, digital wellbeing
means:
●looking after personal health, safety, relationships and work-life
balance in digital settings

●using digital tools in pursuit of personal goals (e.g. health and
fitness) and to participate in social and community activities

●acting safely and responsibly in digital environments

●negotiating and resolving conflict

●managing digital workload, overload and distraction

●acting with concern for the human and natural environment when
using digital tools

How is your digital wellbeing? Which of these aspects of digital
wellbeing do you think you do well? Which of these do you
think you do less well?

Tips for managing your digital wellbeing

Take a break

05

If you are able to, get outside: this will
help reduce the sensory and
cognitive overload.

Sleep better

04

Create a Screen-free Bedtime Routine
Store Electronic Devices Away From Your Bed.
Dim your lights
Use Nightime Mode.
Consider Investing in “Blue Blocker” Glasses

Scroll mindfully

03

Limit the time you spend on social
media and choose what you watch,
read and listen to carefully.

Create a schedule

02

Write yourself a schedule, include
plenty of breaks and non-screen
time.t

Stay connected

01

Keep in contact with your friends and
loved ones as much as possible.

Get active

06

Exercise regularly: even a walk
around the block can work wonders

to enhance your mood.

Investigate digital wellbeing tools

1) Spend 30 minutes exploring at least two of these digital
wellbeing tools:

●Digital Wellbeing (Google)

●Data Detox - wellbeing

●Managing Technology (University of Cambridge)

●Digital wellbeing apps (Android)

●Screen Time (Apple)

2) Return here to share your reflections, using the Discussion Points to
guide you.

Discussion points

●Which tools did you explore?

●How useful did you find them?

●How do you plan to maintain/enhance your digital wellbeing while
at university?

Time
management

Discussion points

●

How good is your time management?

●

Do you use any of these strategies? Can you share some
additional ones?

●

Will you be adopting any of the strategies mentioned
here?

Explore time management tools

There are lots of apps and tools to help you manage your time and boost
your focus, efficiency and productivity, including calendars, list makers,
task web clippers, timers and more. These links offer some of the top
choices.

●Students: Tips and Tools for Time Management: 8 practical tips and 8
digital tools to help achieve each one

●Best Time-Management Apps for Students: A list of apps to aid
productivity

1.

Visit one of the links above. Spend 15 minutes exploring some of the
time management tools introduced.

2.

Return here to share your reflections, using the Discussion Points to
guide you.

Discussion points

●Which tool(s) did you explore?

●What did you like or dislike about the tool(s)? Why?

●Do you think the tool(s) would be helpful in managing your
time effectively?