CYBER DANGER
Online chatting is one fun way to meet new friends. There are hundreds of chatrooms available on the internet which you can log on to 24 hours a day. However, while it is interesting to get to know people from all over the world, there are safety issues that you must consider. All of us are vulnerable. So please take time to read the following rules and think about them.
The most important rule when it comes to chatting is not to tell anyone online where you live, the school you are in, your phone number, or your birthday. The simplest piece of personal information can be used to find out more about you and locate where you live.
Next, if you want to correspond with a friend online, there are plenty of free
e-mail services. Hotmail and Yahoo! are two popular choices with young people, so you could sign up with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This gives them a way to track you down. Remember – each ISP only provides service for a particular area and it can be used to trace you very easily.
Not everyone you meet in chatrooms can be trusted. They can tell you stories that have no truth in them at all. The safest way to chat is by using a webcam and microphone. That way you can actually view the person on screen, whether it is a male or female, young or old. Even if they send you a personal photo, it may not be a genuine one. For all you know, it could be a child in the family, a neighbour or a photograph taken from a website.
Finally, never arrange to meet any of your cyber friends without first consulting your parents. If your friend sincerely wants to meet you, talk to your parents first. Then let the adults arrange for the meeting, preferably in a group or at a public place.
