The Internet can be a great place to find and exchange information, to meet your friends, to be entertained. But it can also be an unsafe place if you are not sure of what you are doing, where you are going or if you are meeting people online you haven’t met in person before. Just like parts of your city or your neighbourhood can be unsafe, so can parts of the Internet. You wouldn’t wander around certain places after dark on your own, would you? You need to be just as cautious on the Internet. Don’t let down your guard and feel totally safe on the Internet just because you are sitting in the comfort of your home. Here are some safety tips to help make your Internet experience a safer, more pleasant and fun experience;
- - Do know who can access your personal information.
- - Be as anonymous as possible.
- - Personal information can be used to identify you or locate you. The safest thing is to never post personal information that can identify you or be used to locate you. This includes your full name, address, your age, phone numbers, your school name or where you might hang out. And don’t post other people’s information either.
- - Use a nickname or first name only rather than your full name.
- - Don’t post information about yourself that you don’t want others to see. Remember, many people may be able to see what you post, even people you may not want to see your information.
- - Once you post information you can’t take it back. Even deleting it later is no guarantee that it can no longer be seen.
- - Photos: Think before you post.
Once you upload a photo, you’ve lost control over where it appears, who sees it, and what happens to it – www.watchyourspace.ie. - - Personal photos should not have information that can help identify or locate you.
- - Never give out your password.
- - Don’t respond to an online message if it makes you feel uncomfortable or threatened. Tell an adult you trust and report it to the social networking site you are in. Don’t become a victim.
- - If unsure of something, check with your parents.
- - Check with your parents first if you required to give out personal information in order to enter a competition, access a site or buy something online.
- - Respect the privacy of others.
- - Be respectful. Be polite. Never say nasty or untrue things. Don’t provoke, you can get a nasty reaction that makes you regret it.
- - Never meet in person with anyone you first ‘met’ on the Internet. Be wary if a new online ‘friend’ wants to meet you in person. Tell your parents or an adult you trust.
- - Not everyone you meet online may be who they say they are. Some people lie about who they really are. And not everyone has friendly intentions.
- - You wouldn’t let a stranger into your house, into your ‘world’, would you? Remember, that in effect is what you could be doing when ‘talking’ to a stranger online. Keep a ‘distance’ between you and strangers online.
- - If you create your own ‘presence’ or page on the Internet, consider restricting access to select friends or family.
- - Social networking sites (e.g. Bebo, MySpace, Facebook, Xanga) are a great way to keep in touch with your friends. Learn how they help you to protect your identity. Be smart.
- - Social network sites will usually state a minimum age for members – 13 years in the case of Bebo, 14 years in the case of MySpace. Abide by their rules if you join up when old enough to do so.
Questions?
Dial 01 6744800 and ask for the Webmaster
or
E-mail: dublinpubliclibraries@dublincity.ie
Also, visit Watch Your Space – This site raises awareness and promotes safe, responsible practice by young people when online. It offers practical tips and advice and supports teenagers who use the web.
