Kids, listen up. I'm sure that you have an email account. And you certainly are using instant messaging system or IMs to talk to your friends or entering chat rooms to meet new friends online. However, hidden beneath the fun and excitement of chat rooms are the dangers from online predators you can meet, viruses your computer can have, and from ordinary users that may seem to be good people but actually aren't.
So, it is always best to know what these internet safety tips are while you are inside these chat rooms.
1.Always be polite. Learn the golden rule: "Do unto others what you want others do unto you." What if you encountered rude people online? Leave the conversation or ignore them from your list.
2.Never accept any gifts from strangers. Online predators' main targets are kids like you: naive and unsuspicious. They give gifts to make you think they are nice. But the reality is, they may have other intentions that may put you at risk.
3.Don't give your personal information including your real name, home address, email address, passwords, bank or credit card information, and school information. There are 2 reasons for this. First, the person whom you are giving this information with may use them against you in predatory ways to gain financial or sexual advantages. And second, most chat rooms and instant messaging programs aren't encrypted. Simply put: it isn't safe. So anyone who has a right tool and wrong intention can pick up your conversation and may put you in great danger.
4.As much as possible, stay in public chat rooms which are moderated, child-friendly, and safe. These can keep you from bad people who would try to say something that can make you feel uncomfortable.
5.Never accept or download files from people you don't trust inside the chat room. You don't know the contents of this file. Also, if you ask for the file, make sure that you check it for viruses before opening.
6.If you receive messages that make you feel uncomfortable, don't reply. Print it and show it to an adult immediately.
7.Don't display or share photos to someone you don't trust or don't know.
8.Don't allow others to view your webcam if you don't know them.
