The Internet is a great place to chat with people all over the world and make new friends, to learn about every subject possible and to have a great deal of fun. However, do take care – you could be at risk if you do not follow some simple steps…
- Always keep your personal details (name, address) private. It’s like giving out the keys to your house!
- Your personal password is your own special identity, so keep it secret and don’t share it – even with your best friend or someone who sounds official.
- Making new e-pals whilst on line is cool, but tell your parents about who you have met and introduce them to your new friends.
- If you want to meet someone you have met in cyberspace, ask your parents/carer’s permission, and then only when they can be present.
- There’s great stuff on the Net, but some bad stuff too! So always tell a parent or teacher if you come across anything which makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Chat can be fun, but don’t hang around in a chat room if someone makes you feel uncomfortable or worried. Remember you’re in charge out there!
Follow these simple steps and you will have access to the world – enjoy the experience and remember, when surfing the Internet, your best friend really can be your parents, carer or teacher.
These tips were the result of extensive research and a report produced by Childnet International and Fleishman Hillard as part of a EC funded research study. Our sincere thanks to Childnet International for their permission to reproduce them here.