In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to be protective of yourself, whether you’re out in public or sharing your life online. Sometimes, we feel comfortable around people just because they are friendly or seem nice. But not everyone who acts nice has good intentions. That’s why it’s important to be careful about what you share and who you trust, especially for young people and young girls.

Have you ever met someone who seemed kind at first, only to realise later they weren’t who they said they were? This can happen both online and in person. A person may ask personal questions, like where you live, who you hang out with, or what your daily routine is. While it may seem like a normal conversation, this kind of information can be dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands. For example, if you post on Instagram that you're home alone for the weekend, thinking it's just your friends who will see it, someone else with bad intentions might also see that and use it against you.

Just because someone is being nice to you doesn't mean you should tell them everything about yourself. Sometimes we think being open will make people like us more, but oversharing can lead to pain or even danger. You don’t need to share your private life with someone just to feel accepted. Imagine a girl who meets a new friend at school and starts texting them every detail about her family and where she lives. Later, that "friend" shares her secrets with others or uses that information to hurt her. It's a hard lesson, but it's something that happens too often.

I have a younger sister, and I care about her safety. I remind her all the time to be careful with what she shares, especially online. Not everyone will treat her with the respect and kindness she deserves. If you have younger siblings or close friends, talk to them about being safe, too. We have to look out for each other. For example, if your little sister wants to post a photo in her school uniform, remind her that it’s better not to, as someone could use that to find out where she goes to school.

Trust is something that should be earned, not given easily. It’s okay to have close friends, but those friends should respect your boundaries and not push you to share more than you're comfortable with. Real friends never make you feel unsafe. For instance, if you meet someone online who always pressures you to turn on your camera even when you’ve said no, that’s a sign they don’t respect your comfort. A real friend would understand and wait until you’re ready.

Being kind and friendly is a beautiful part of who we are as young people. But being safe is even more important. You can still be friendly without sharing everything. It’s okay to take time to really get to know people before trusting them. Always remember: don’t post your exact location online, keep private matters off social media, say “no” if something doesn’t feel right, and talk to someone you trust, like a parent or an older sibling, when you feel unsure. Protecting yourself isn’t about being rude. It’s about being wise.

Let’s help each other stay safe, strong, and smart. Because in the end, your safety matters more than what anyone else thinks.