You Can Be Real

So why are people spending soooo much time talking about internet safety. What’s that all about? What’s the big deal? Lots of people think that the internet is just this big lawless place, where you can do anything you want and hardly ever get caught doing it. WRONG.

One of the biggest internet issues facing you is sexual predators. You think you’re meeting a new friend your age, but you are being fooled. You’re really chatting with someone that may want to hurt you and your family.

The next biggest issue is Cyber Bullying. People often feel free to say anything they want online that they may not say to someone’s face. Sometimes hurtful, untrue rumours can be spread over the net.

Learn how you can protect yourself and stay SMART.

What do I do if someone bullies me online?
DO NOT RESPOND, and tell your parents or another adult right when it happens. Don’t get caught up in a mess by talking back.

Is my Facebook information safe?
NO. Facebook is like many things on the net and to an experienced hacker, easy to crack. Limit the amount of personal information you load into Facebook. Assume the world can see what you do.

If my friends say they know everyone in the chat room then it has to be safe, right?
NO, hackers can adopt your friend’s code names and pose as them; you never know.

How do I safely use a chat room?
Start by making up a gender-neutral name, and definitely DO NOT use your real name. Change your password frequently and most of all, ask your parent before joining ANY chatroom.