Safety Guidelines - whether you are in a chat room or just surfing the web, keep these guidelines in mind:
-- NEVER have a relationship with someone that is a secret from your parents. Think about it. Why are you keeping it a secret??
-- Avoid chat rooms if at all possible.
--Be very very careful about what information you give out on the web. NEVER give out your last name, phone number, the name of your school, names of your family or friends or post your picture. Try to pick a gender neutral screen name that does not reveal information about yourself.
-- Want to get a job someday? Even if you don’t get stalked by a pedophile, remember that more and more employers and colleges are looking on the internet to learn about YOU. Again, OLD information can linger on the web for ages. It is best to NEVER post information that could embarrass or endanger you sometime in the future!
--Tell your parents right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable.
-- Never meet someone or have them visit you without the permission of your parents.
-- Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
-- Make sure to go over this internet safety plan with your parents.
Safety guidelines are from FBI's internet safety tips and from SafeKids.com.
Cyberbullying
According to the STOP BULLYING website, you need to STOP! BLOCK! and TELL! if you are targeted by a cyberbully.
STOP! Don't do anything. Take 5! to calm down.
BLOCK! Block the cyberbully or limit all communications to those on your buddy list.
TELL! Tell a trusted adult, you don't have to face this alone.
Online Predators
-- Remember that Pedophiles work hard at stalking their targets and will patiently work to develop relationships with them. It is not uncommon for them to be developing a long list of potential victims at any one time.
-- Remember, the information you post is no longer private. Even if you delete it later, that information is still out there - either on someone else’s website or under a site’s HISTORY page.
You are dealing with a WORLDWIDE audience.
-- Keep in mind that predators will search for their potential victims by zipcode or they will search for their potential victims by race or religion. They might even target groups of people that they hate.
-- Pedophiles will build TRUST and then often mail a gift like a cell phone.
They will ask you to keep their relationship a SECRET from your parent or guardian or even from your friends.
-- When in a chat room, people are WATCHING, looking for revealing information. Pedophiles will watch quietly for months without saying a thing and just gather information from a chat room. They will then introduce themselves as Joey’s friend and amazingly, they like to hang out at Bullwinkles just like you do!
-- Can this happen in Juneau? YES! According to JPD, 4 people in Juneau had their computers taken last year in Juneau in pedophile related cases. According to the National Alert Register the 99801 zip code has - 228 sex offenders.
-- Want to get a job someday? Even if you don’t get stalked by a pedophile, remember that more and more employers and colleges are looking on the internet to learn about YOU. Again, OLD information can linger on the web for ages. It is best to NEVER post information that could embarrass or endanger you sometime in the future!
Copyright Issues
-- The Copyright Website is the place to go to find current copyright information about movies, music and the web.
Cyber Citizenship
-- Try the Cyber Citizen Partnership website.