Connect with Care online safety zine.

1. ConnectConnectConnect
withwithwith
CareCareCare
A Guide for Online Self-Care &
Conflict
Created by Washington
Trafficking Prevention

2. This means that upsetting,
stressful, or harmful
things that we see, say,
or share online can affect
ourselves and others in
our lives offline too.
That's why it is important
to share in ways that help
ourselves, and the people
around us, to have a safer
and happier experience
online!
It's a great tool we can use
to connect with others, learn
new things, and express
ourselves!
Sometimes the internet can
feel like its own world
outside of "real life," but
that is not the case.
Many of the lessons we learn, conversations we have, and ideas
we share online stay with us long after we close our screen or
unplug for the day. This is great for learning new things or
connecting with loved ones!
The Internet...
Unfortunately...

3. ComplicatedComplicatedComplicated
ContentContentContent
While watching a movie you
may notice ratings like PG,
PG-13, or R, along with a
statement about content that
may be hard to watch or some
viewers may want to avoid.
Similar types of warnings
exist online too! Content
warnings or trigger warnings
are an easy way to give
people in online spaces the
choice to consent to see
certain types of content, or
to avoid it if they know it
might upset them.

4. Content warnings are a way to help avoid things that
you and people around you might find upsetting or
disturbing. They are a way to take care of yourself
and those around you when interacting online or with
other types of media. Remember, you don't have to
watch everything if you don't want to or if
something makes you uncomfortable.
Why should I use
content warnings?
Graphic depictions of violence
in text, images, or video
Content related to sexual
assault
Content related to abuse
Slurs
Blood/gore
Animal cruelty/death
Why? What? How?
WhEN should I use ONE?
There is no rulebook on what to provide a
warning for, so you will often have to use
your own judgement to decide what needs a
warning. Everyone has different lived
experiences and reacts to content in
different ways. However, here are some
common examples of the types of things
that typically should include warnings!
It's ok to ask!
It's a good practice to ask your friends
if there is any subject or type of
content they would like you to provide a
warning for. You can also ask your
friends to do the same for you!
How do i use one?
When writing a content warning,
the easiest and most helpful way
is to type CW: with key words
following. For example, CW: Blood
would be the way to warn people
that you are sharing content
depicting or discussing blood.
This should always be included
before the post, tweet, video,
etc.
Learn more HERE!

5. Emotional burnout is
when we feel mentally
drained or
overwhelmed. This can
be because of school,
spending a lot of time
socializing, or
anything that uses up
our emotional energy
bank.
OnlineOnlineOnline
BurnoutBurnoutBurnout
Burnout can
happen online
when we're
exposed to a
flood of negative
content.
Tiredness
Anxiety
Feeling sad or depressed
Racing thoughts
Feeling doom or gloom
Signs of Burnout:

6. Negativity bias is the idea that says humans
are better at noticing negative things over
positive ones. Negativity bias is common
online. Remember, websites want your clicks
and sites that post unpleasant content will
attract more attention.
NegativityNegativityNegativity
Bias?Bias?Bias?
Reflect:do you see morepositive or
negativecontent online?
Negativity Bias can lead
us to seek out content
that is draining when
looked at for long periods
of time.

7. Take Breaks
Set boundaries
Get up and move
around
Limit news exposure
Follow pages that
promote positivity
Set social media
timers/time limits
on your phone
AvoidingAvoidingAvoiding
BurnoutBurnoutBurnout

8. Online
Online Conflict
Conflict
CONFLICT can be stressful, and even scary. Any
time we disagree with others on thoughts,
feelings, ideas, or actions, we face conflict.
But did you know conflict isn't always a bad
thing? In fact, facing conflict is one of the
primary ways we learn and grow as people.
What matters most is how we deal with
conflict, especially in online spaces. Just
like all things that occur online, internet
conflict can affect us in our lives offline in
both positive and negative ways.

9. DO's & DON'TSDO's & DON'TSDO's & DON'TS
Whether you are responding to something online that you find
harmful or incorrect, or if someone else is addressing a
potentially harmful or incorrect thing you have said or done
online, there are some tips to remember to help lead to
healthier conflict.
DO: DON'T:
ASK QUESTIONS to clarify,
such as "What did you mean
by..." before making
assumptions.
WAIT TO RESPOND a few
hours, or even overnight,
to better understand what
was said/done and how you
feel about it.
DISCUSS WITH OTHERS such as
friends or family to get
others' input on the
situation.
CONSIDER YOUR MOTIVE. Is
your goal to educate, to
understand, or to hold
accountable?
ASSUME BEST
INTENTIONS unless
someone online has a
pattern of being
hostile or
purposefully
harmful.
BE DEFENSIVE if someone
has pointed out something
you said or did that may
have been harmful.
DOGPILE publicly on a
person by having your
friends harass or harm
them in response.
BURN OUT by engaging in
every argument you see. If
a conflict seems
unproductive or becomes
too stressful, log off.
TAKE IT PERSONALLY if
someone points out a
harmful thing you have
said or done.
DWELL TOO LONG on
an online conflict.
Whether the
conflict is
resolved or not, at
a certain point you
must move on.

10. APOLOGIZEAPOLOGIZEAPOLOGIZE
ACCOUNTABILITYACCOUNTABILITYACCOUNTABILITY
with
Apologizing is a difficult, but necessary part of conflict
resolution if you have caused harm to others. Accountability is
taking responsibility for your words or actions, accepting that
you were wrong, and seeking to repair harm.
TIPS FOR APOLOGIZING WITH ACCOUNTABILITY
Say "I'm sorry." It may sound simple, but it's something
people often forget in apologies.
Be specific in what you are sorry for. Address the words or
actions that caused harm, and make clear that you regret
them.
No "If" or "But" statements. Saying you are sorry "if" you
caused someone harm leaves room for interpretation. Part of
being accountable is accepting the harm you caused.
1.
2.
3.
4.Don't make excuses or add unnecessary context. Being
accountable means focusing on your own actions and words,
not outside factors.
5.Listen and acknowledge the feelings of the person you are
apologizing to. State that you understand their hurt is real.
6.Pledge to do better and have a plan for not making the
same mistake again.
7.Accept criticism of your apology and if you left
something out, address it.
8.Understand people might not always accept your
apology, and that is ok.
9.Move forward with the goal to not make the same
mistake again.

11. Thank you for reading this online
safety zine brought to you by
Washington Trafficking Prevention!
To learn more or find ways to get
involved, visit
www.traffickingprevention.org
Support our work!