Post by .::Christina::. on Jan 5, 2007 12:53:23 GMT -5
Latey, I've been seeing people (on other forums) post things that may not be very safe to themselves and others. It makes me feel bad, because I don't want ANYONE hurt. This is an internet safety pack I am putting together.
Please take some time to read what I have put together. I think most of you can find it very useful and helpful. This pack isn't to scare you, but to help you have fun on the internet, but also be aware.
Your Rules and Comfort Zones
I know most of you probably have your own rules, guidelines, and comfortzones that you pay attention to when using the internet. If you don't have any, please make some. Those of you who have your own rules, I think that is great. But, I hope that you will not do anything to hurt yourselves or others on the internet. For more helpful rules and guidelines, CLICK HERE, and continue to read this pack.
Forums and Chatrooms
Forums and chatrooms are helpful for interacting with others, getting great info, and having FUN!! Some forums and chatrooms are well-run and organized(like SF), and some forums and chatrooms aren't. But the truth is that no matter how great a forum or chatroom is, there are always dangers. Members of chatrooms and forums don't know exactly who they are interacting with. About 98% of the time, the people you interact with are safe. But, there is still the 2% left over...
Protecting Yourself
Please, be careful on the internet! Be careful of what you say. A criminal could find you if you give out too much personal info. If you give out your location, city, or state, and your name, or school, a criminal has a good chance of finding you. Posting a picture may not be the best idea either. If you want to do any of these things, PLEASE ask a parent or guardian before doing something to personal. Also, if you want to meet someone you talk to on the internet, play it safe. Meet in a busy place near businesses and BRING PARENTS.
Email, Instant Messenger, and Spam.
If ever while checking email, you come across a nasty message or spam, delete the message and DO NOT REPLY. It may also be a good idea to clue your parents in on it.
Also, when you use email and IM, be aware of what you say to anyone(even friends). If you tell someone a secret over IM or email, you don't know if there is someone else right there with them. Plus, they could print out what you say. People can forward emails to anyone they like. Here's an idea: To see if you can trust someone on IM or Email, tell them something that you wouldn't mind if other people heard about it, and see if they spill the "secret", forward it, or print it out to show to anyone they like.
A TRUE STORY
If you think everything I have posted here is just a big lie or a bunch of baloney, read this story. It will make you think again.(yes, this story IS true):
A 13 year-old girl was a member of a chatroom. She often talked to a 14 year-old teen who she thought was hot(he sent pics). The girl had told him what area of her city she lived in. Shd did not tell him her name.
One Friday afternoon, she was talking to the guy. He asked what she was doing tomorrow. She said she had a soccer practice at 2:15. The guy said that was so cool and said he played soccer. He asked what her team colors were and what her jersey number was. She told him.
The next afternoon, at 3:30(around the time the girl got home from practice), someone rang the doorbell. The girl's parents answered the door and the person there was a police man. The parents said,"Is there anything wrong?" The policeman replied,"No, I'd just like to talk to your daughter, please."
The parents let the policeman in and got their daughter. The policeman greeted the girl and said," Hello. I go in a chatroom and my username is blackcat14. Yours is ScrQT0." The girl was shocked and said that BlackCat14 was a 14 year-old teen. The police man then told the girl to sit down.
The police man and the girl talked about internet safety. He told her that since he knew what part of town she lived in, her team colors, jersey number, and time the practice was, he was able to follow her home from the practice. He told her that if he had been a criminal, she may not be safe in her home at that very moment.
----------------------------
Thankyou, everyone for taking the time to read this all. I've worked hard to put this little pack together for all of you. I hope you will consider everything I have said, and STAY SAFE!
Please take some time to read what I have put together. I think most of you can find it very useful and helpful. This pack isn't to scare you, but to help you have fun on the internet, but also be aware.
Your Rules and Comfort Zones
I know most of you probably have your own rules, guidelines, and comfortzones that you pay attention to when using the internet. If you don't have any, please make some. Those of you who have your own rules, I think that is great. But, I hope that you will not do anything to hurt yourselves or others on the internet. For more helpful rules and guidelines, CLICK HERE, and continue to read this pack.
Forums and Chatrooms
Forums and chatrooms are helpful for interacting with others, getting great info, and having FUN!! Some forums and chatrooms are well-run and organized(like SF), and some forums and chatrooms aren't. But the truth is that no matter how great a forum or chatroom is, there are always dangers. Members of chatrooms and forums don't know exactly who they are interacting with. About 98% of the time, the people you interact with are safe. But, there is still the 2% left over...
Protecting Yourself
Please, be careful on the internet! Be careful of what you say. A criminal could find you if you give out too much personal info. If you give out your location, city, or state, and your name, or school, a criminal has a good chance of finding you. Posting a picture may not be the best idea either. If you want to do any of these things, PLEASE ask a parent or guardian before doing something to personal. Also, if you want to meet someone you talk to on the internet, play it safe. Meet in a busy place near businesses and BRING PARENTS.
Email, Instant Messenger, and Spam.
If ever while checking email, you come across a nasty message or spam, delete the message and DO NOT REPLY. It may also be a good idea to clue your parents in on it.
Also, when you use email and IM, be aware of what you say to anyone(even friends). If you tell someone a secret over IM or email, you don't know if there is someone else right there with them. Plus, they could print out what you say. People can forward emails to anyone they like. Here's an idea: To see if you can trust someone on IM or Email, tell them something that you wouldn't mind if other people heard about it, and see if they spill the "secret", forward it, or print it out to show to anyone they like.
A TRUE STORY
If you think everything I have posted here is just a big lie or a bunch of baloney, read this story. It will make you think again.(yes, this story IS true):
A 13 year-old girl was a member of a chatroom. She often talked to a 14 year-old teen who she thought was hot(he sent pics). The girl had told him what area of her city she lived in. Shd did not tell him her name.
One Friday afternoon, she was talking to the guy. He asked what she was doing tomorrow. She said she had a soccer practice at 2:15. The guy said that was so cool and said he played soccer. He asked what her team colors were and what her jersey number was. She told him.
The next afternoon, at 3:30(around the time the girl got home from practice), someone rang the doorbell. The girl's parents answered the door and the person there was a police man. The parents said,"Is there anything wrong?" The policeman replied,"No, I'd just like to talk to your daughter, please."
The parents let the policeman in and got their daughter. The policeman greeted the girl and said," Hello. I go in a chatroom and my username is blackcat14. Yours is ScrQT0." The girl was shocked and said that BlackCat14 was a 14 year-old teen. The police man then told the girl to sit down.
The police man and the girl talked about internet safety. He told her that since he knew what part of town she lived in, her team colors, jersey number, and time the practice was, he was able to follow her home from the practice. He told her that if he had been a criminal, she may not be safe in her home at that very moment.
----------------------------
Thankyou, everyone for taking the time to read this all. I've worked hard to put this little pack together for all of you. I hope you will consider everything I have said, and STAY SAFE!
