The internet is a great resource for communicating with friends and family, finding information and having fun. It is also important to stay safe when online via a computer, cell phone or gaming system. Keep these safety tips in mind when you are online, and share them with a young person who may benefit from them.
Online Safety
Unfortunately, kids have been tricked online by people who pretend to be something that they're not. Some kids have found themselves in dangerous situations when they agreed to meet the mysterious online "friend" in person. To protect yourself online, never give out personal information, remember that people online may not be who they say they are, and do not meet with anyone or have them visit you without talking to your parents first. Always talk to your parents or another trusted adult if you are contacted by a stranger or you encounter anything online that makes you feel uncomfortable or scared.
Text Messages
It is also important to think before you text. Once you send a text message or a photo, even to a friend, you can’t take it back and you never know who might forward it. Prevent embarrassing moments by thinking twice before you send or text anything that you might regret.
Cyber Bullying
Cyber Bullying may include sending hurtful, hateful, derogatory, harassing or threatening messages to others, spreading rumors, or sending personal or embarrassing information about or pictures of others – all with the intention of intimidating, frightening, ridiculing, or harming someone else. If you are being bullied online, the best way to handle it is don’t reply or forward the message and ignore, block, or “unfriend” whoever is bullying you online. Tell a parent or trusted adult if you are being bullied online.
Keep Your Privacy
To protect your privacy, check with your parents before you create any personal profile because that information could be used for reasons you might not like. Choose a screen name or email account name that isn't your real name and don’t share your passwords with anyone except your parents. Never reply to any email that asks for your personal information. Some emails may look official, as if it was sent by your Internet provider, but it's actually a trick to get your personal info.
For more information, visit the Cyber Crime and Internet Safety portion of our website.
For more cyber safety tips for kids of all ages, visit http://www.nsteens.org/.