Online Safety Resources for College Students

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College is an incredible experience for young adults to learn, grow, and expand their horizons. While these opportunities are exciting, the blending of curious experimentation with infinitely wider digital access than has been available in years past does create the need for a renewed focus on digital safety.

Whether you’re dating online, researching a fringe topic, or just connecting with people through social media, it’s imperative that college students and those educators leading college students understand how to approach the digital landscape safely without stifling creativity.

Resource Directory Links

National College Victims Advocate Contact Directory

This directory is designed to make it easier for students to find help when they need it most. If you work with a college or see any information that needs to be updated or added, please reach out to our team at [email protected].

Feature Resource Articles

How to Stay Safe When Dating Online In College

Detailed tips and advice on how to approach online dating in college to stay safe when using dating apps.

Oversharing 101: What College Students Shouldn’t Post Online

A look at the unintended consequences that comes from oversharing information online.

5 Social Media Boundaries for College Relationships

How setting effective boundaries on social media for friendships and relationships can keep you safe.

How to Spot Fake Emails Trying to Steal Your Information

A thorough list of the sneaky tricks and tactics scammers employ when executing phishing attacks to try and steal your sensitive information.

The Most Common College Scams Right Now

Providing proactive education and information about the most common scams currently targeting college students.

Why Password Safety Matters and How to Do It Right

Password security tends to be viewed more as an annoyance than a helpful deterrent, but the risks that come with ignoring it are just too great.

Downloadable Resources and Infographics

5 Online Dating Safety Tips (Infographic)

A downloadable infographic designed to supplement our online dating safety articles with important tips on how to stay safe in college when choosing to date through online dating apps.

5 Social Media Safety Tips (Infographic)

A downloadable infographic designed to supplement our social media safety articles with important information on commonly overlooked safety aspects that come with using social media.

7 College Scams to Look Out For (Infographic)

A downloadable infographic designed to share some of the most common digital scams that take place on our around campus and may specifically target college students.

Helpful Agency Partners

RAINN

The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization and operator of the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

One Love

A national NPO with the goal of ending relationship abuse through tools, courses, and resources for college students.

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

A division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for suspected Internet-facilitated criminal activity.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Leading NPO for info and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence.

End Rape on Campus

Working to end sexual violence through direct support for survivors, prevention through education, and policy reform.

Federal Trade Commission

A government agency promoting consumer protection and helping to protect against digital fraud and scams.

Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI)

A non-profit organization fighting online abuses, particularly Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA) nationwide.

Active Minds

College-founded NPO mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms across society with 500+ chapters nationwide.

  • Take Back the Night Legal Advocacy Hotline
    • 567-SHATTER is a national legal hotline for all victims of sexual harassment, assault and rape to learn about their legal options. Take Back The Night Foundation has partnered with a victim advocacy law firm to provide 24-7 staffing of the hotline at no cost to survivors.  The intake call staff has trauma-informed training to best support victims when they call or complete the online form. 
    • Hotline 567-SHATTER (567-742-8837)
    • Website https://takebackthenight.org/legal-assistance/