Safer Internet Day 2026: Practical digital safety rules every student should know

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Short, clever passwords are easy to crack. Create passwords that are at least 12 to 16 characters long and combine unrelated words with numbers and symbols. For example, think of a private sentence only you understand and modify it. Use a password manager to store them instead of reusing the same one across apps. If one site is breached, reused passwords put every other account at risk.

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer beyond your password, such as a one-time code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. Even if someone steals your password through phishing, they cannot access your account without that second step. Start with email, banking apps, and social media, because these accounts are gateways to everything else linked to you.

Scammers often pose as scholarship providers, internship recruiters, or even classmates. Before sharing Aadhaar numbers, marksheets, phone numbers, or OTPs, verify the source. Check the official website, look for a verified email domain, and never share OTPs with anyone who contacts you first. Once personal data is out, you cannot pull it back.

Many apps request access to contacts, camera, microphone, or location. Before tapping “Allow,” ask whether that permission is necessary for the app’s core function. A note-taking app does not need access to your location. Limiting permissions reduces the amount of data companies collect and lowers the damage if the app is compromised.

Colleges and employers routinely review social media profiles. Offensive posts, leaked jokes, or impulsive comments can resurface years later. Before posting, ask whether you would be comfortable seeing the same content on a public notice board with your name attached. Privacy settings help, but screenshots make almost anything shareable beyond your control.

AI-generated videos and audio clips are increasingly realistic. Look for unnatural blinking, mismatched lip movements, distorted backgrounds, or inconsistent lighting. Verify shocking claims through trusted news outlets before reacting or forwarding. Sharing false content can harm others and damage your own credibility.

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