DIGITAL SAFETY & ONLINE PRIVACY – YOUNG ADULTS (18+)
Executive Summary
Autistic young adults face higher risks of cyberbullying, sextortion, scams, and oversharing private information online. This guide provides clear rules, visual checklists, practical scripts, and privacy tools to stay safe. Goal: no sharing of private info, block/report on first red flag, and always tell a trusted adult after scary online events.
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Practical, autism-affirming tools for digital independence nationwide.
CRITICAL DISCLAIMER: EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE
This guide is educational only—not medical, legal, or professional advice. Always coordinate with qualified professionals (therapists, lawyers, law enforcement, digital safety experts) for personalized guidance.
SECTION 1: CORE DIGITAL SAFETY SKILLS CHECKLIST
Pre-Online Independence Assessment
Master these 8 skills before using social media or gaming platforms independently.
|
Skill |
What It Means |
Can You Do It? |
Practice If Needed |
|
Privacy Settings |
Set social media to "friends only" |
☐ |
Practice on test account |
|
Recognize Red Flags |
Spot sexual/money requests |
☐ |
Review examples 10x |
|
Block & Report |
Block user + use report button |
☐ |
Practice on fake accounts |
|
Screenshot Evidence |
Save messages/pics as proof |
☐ |
Practice saving chats |
|
Trusted Adult Script |
"Something scary happened online" |
☐ |
Role-play 5x |
|
Password Rules |
12+ characters, unique per site |
☐ |
Create 3 practice passwords |
|
Location Off |
Disable geotags and sharing |
☐ |
Check all apps |
|
Phishing Spotting |
"You won" = fake |
☐ |
Review 10 examples |
Readiness Guide:
SECTION 2: TOP DIGITAL DANGERS
Main Online Risks
|
Danger |
What Happens |
Warning Signs |
|
Cyberbullying |
Mean messages, threats, exclusion |
Repeated insults, group attacks |
|
Sextortion |
Send nudes → blackmail for money/more |
Flirty → sexual requests → threats |
|
Money Scams |
Fake prizes, "hold my money" |
Money/gift card requests |
|
Phishing |
Steal passwords/money |
"Verify account," "you won" links |
|
Grooming |
Fake friendship → exploitation |
Secrecy, older "friends," off-platform |
SECTION 3: BASIC SAFETY RULES (PRINT THIS POSTER)
Five Non-Negotiable Rules:
Private vs Public Information
|
PRIVATE (Never Share Online) |
SAFER (Share Carefully) |
|
Full name + address |
First name |
|
Phone number |
City (not street) |
|
School/workplace |
General interests |
|
Passwords |
Non-personal memes |
|
Bank info |
Hobbies |
|
Sexual photos |
Opinions |
SECTION 4: PRIVACY SETTINGS CHECKLIST
Lock Down Your Accounts
|
Platform |
Privacy Settings |
Location |
Messages |
|
|
Friends only, hide from search |
OFF |
Friends only |
|
TikTok |
Private account |
OFF |
Followers only |
|
Snapchat |
Ghost mode |
OFF |
Friends only |
|
Discord |
Private server invites |
OFF |
Friends only |
|
Gaming |
No voice to strangers |
OFF |
Party only |
Device Settings:
SECTION 5: RED FLAG CHECKLIST (BLOCK IMMEDIATELY)
Block, report, and tell trusted adult if anyone:
|
Red Flag |
Examples |
|
Sexual Pressure |
"Send pic," "show body," "just us" |
|
Money Requests |
"Send gift cards," "help with fees" |
|
Threats |
"Hurt you/family," "share secrets" |
|
Secrecy |
"Don't tell parents," "delete messages" |
|
Inconsistent |
Age changes, no video chat |
SECTION 6: CORE SAFETY SCRIPTS
Script 1: Saying No to Private Info Requests
Someone asks for photo/money/location:
"I don't share photos, money, or personal details with people I haven't met in person. We can talk about [game/hobby] but I keep private info offline. If you keep asking, I'll need to block."
Script 2: Ending Creepy Conversations
"This conversation makes me uncomfortable. I'm ending it now."
Then immediately:
Script 3: Asking Trusted Adult for Help
"Something online made me uncomfortable. I blocked them and saved screenshots. Here's what happened: [show evidence]. Can you help me figure out next steps?"
Script 4: Reporting to Platform
In-app report: "This person asked for sexual images/money/threatened me. Username: [name]. Screenshots attached."
SECTION 7: SEXTORTION RESPONSE PLAN
If You Already Sent Sexual Images
Do This (in order):
What to say to trusted adult:
"I sent private pictures to someone online by mistake. Now they're
threatening to share them unless I send more or pay money. I blocked them and
saved screenshots. What should I do next?"
SECTION 8: CYBERBULLYING ACTION PLAN
Step-by-Step Response
Script for support person:
"Someone is bullying me online. Here's what they sent. I blocked and
screenshotted. Should we report to school/work or police?"
SECTION 9: MONEY SCAM BLOCKERS
Never Do These
|
Request Type |
Response |
Then |
|
"Send gift cards" |
"I don't send money online" |
Block + tell adult |
|
"Click this link" |
"I don't click unknown links" |
Block + tell adult |
|
"Verify account" |
"I only verify on official site" |
Block + tell adult |
|
"Hold my money" |
"I don't handle other people's money" |
Block + tell adult |
SECTION 10: SAFE ONLINE FRIENDSHIPS
Healthy vs Unsafe Online Relationships
|
Healthy Online Friends |
DANGER - BLOCK |
|
Respect "no" answers |
Push for secrets/photos |
|
OK with you having offline life |
Want 24/7 attention |
|
Same age range |
Much older/younger |
|
Public conversations |
Push for private apps |
|
Respect boundaries |
Guilt-trip when you say no |
Meeting online friends rule: Always tell trusted adult first. Public place only. Someone knows your location/timeline.
SECTION 11: WEEKLY DIGITAL SAFETY ROUTINE
Sunday 10-Minute Check (Set Phone Alarm)
|
Task |
How |
Why |
|
Privacy Audit |
Check all apps still private |
Settings change |
|
Block Review |
Any new blocks needed? |
Bullies make new accounts |
|
Trusted Adult Check-in |
"Everything OK online?" |
Early warning |
|
Software Update |
Update phone/apps |
Security patches |
|
Password Check |
Still secure? |
Accounts get hacked |
SECTION 12: DEVICE & PASSWORD SECURITY
Password Rules
Phone Security
SECTION 13: SUPPORTER ROLE (NOT CONTROL)
Weekly Check-In Questions
Support person asks (15 min weekly):
Your answers stay private unless you want help with specific situations.
SECTION 14: EMERGENCY CONTACTS
|
Situation |
Who to Contact |
When |
|
Sextortion/Threats |
Trusted adult → Police |
Immediately |
|
Cyberbullying |
Trusted adult → School/Work |
Within 24 hours |
|
Money Scam |
Trusted adult → Bank |
Immediately |
|
Account Hacked |
Platform support → Trusted adult |
Within 1 hour |
National Hotlines:
SECTION 15: PERSONAL DIGITAL SAFETY PLAN
My Safety Rules (Sign & Date):
My Trusted Contacts:
My Weekly Routine: Sunday 7PM privacy check
SECTION 16: MILESTONES
|
Milestone |
Target Date |
Achieved |
|
Week 2: Privacy settings mastered |
☐ |
|
|
Month 1: Block/report practiced |
☐ |
|
|
Month 3: Weekly safety routine |
☐ |
|
|
Month 6: Handled scary situation |
☐ |
Celebrations: New game ($20) / Extra screen time / Favorite meal
FINAL MESSAGE
Digital safety isn't about avoiding the internet—it's about using it with unbreakable rules and backup systems. Clear boundaries, practiced scripts, and trusted adults protect you better than fear or hiding.
You've got the tools: privacy settings, block buttons, safety scripts, and support network. Online connection without online danger is real independence.
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Educational Disclaimer: This guide is educational only—not medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals for personalized guidance. © SpectrumCareHub Independence Series
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