Chat rooms and messaging can be a lot of fun, but it is important to realise that you never really know who you are talking to online. It could be someone trying to trick you, some kind of weirdo, or someone really dangerous.
Here are some tips to help you keep safe:
- I will not tell anyone personal things about myself or my family - like names, addresses, my age, telephone numbers, clubs I go to, financial information, school name or location.
- I will pick an online nickname in chat rooms- and not use my real name.
- I will never send pictures or anything else online, without checking with my parents first.
- I will talk with my parents to arrange rules for going online. We will decide the length of time I can be online, the time of day, and appropriate areas and websites for me to visit. I will not go to other areas or break these rules without permission.
- I will never agree to meet with someone that I meet online, without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and take my mother or father along with me.
- I will never respond to mean or rude messages, or to anything that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable or confused. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away so they can contact the Internet service provider.
- I will be cautious of any links or email attachments, as they could contain nasty images or computer viruses that can ruin the PC. So if I receive an email from an unknown person, I will not open it.
- I will be a good online user and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.
