Social Networking Sites and Instant Messaging

Don’t post personal, identifying information about yourself online.  Keep your cell phone number, address, location, school name, where you hang out and other revealing information about yourself or your friends private.  Online predators can use the smallest bits of information to locate you.

Keep your profile private.  Check the settings on the site you use and make sure that only the people you know can access your page.  Learn how to block others from seeing your information.

Keep a safe screenname.  Don’t use a sexually expressive screenname or include any personal identifying information such as your last name, gender, age or location.

Do not put yourself in unsafe situations.  Be honest about your age. Don’t involve yourself in sexually explicit or inappropriate conversations with others online.  If someone approaches you online and makes you feel uncomfortable, let you parent or guardian know about it.

Remember, you never know who is on the other side of that computer screen.  That person you have been chatting with could be lying about their name, age, gender and where they live.  They could have harmful intentions.

Never meet an online friend in person without a parent or guardian present.  You could put yourself in serious danger meeting someone you do not know by yourself or even with another friend.

Share your buddy lists with your parents.  Let them get to know your online friends just like you would let them get to know your offline friends.

Be responsible.  Do not send or post inappropriate material or messages to others online.  This could be harmful to others and get you into trouble.