Socialising Online
Don't leave yourself open to the wrong people online..
Online Friendships
Using the internet and in other circumstances your mobile can be a great way of keeping in touch with friends you've made offline for example at school, in your neighbourhood or through a club.
When you make new friends online, you have to be a bit more cautious, it may seem like you have made a really good friend, but remember that the only real information you have about them will be what they have told you, but you have to be careful and look at what they might not have told you. Would this be the same person in real life, or could they be alot older? Remember not to give out to much information to others you chat to online, unless you know them personally and that you can trust them fully. If an online friend asks, says or does something which you think is odd or strange, something that makes you feel uncomfortable or upsets you, don't be afraid to talk to someone like your parents or a teacher. Don't just leave it and hope it will go away.
Never give out any personal information like your address, especially your postcode. If you are signing up for a chat room or some other online activity use a unique username rather than your real name, when choosing a username never choose one that is raunchy or sex orientated as it could attract the wrong type of people. In the case of chat rooms try and make sure you use one that is moderated and check to see if you can block members who you don't want to be contacted by, or chat too.
Here are some tips on how to stay safe Offline:
- Firstly, always take someone with you an adult is a good choice, but if not take a very close friend. Never go on your own.
- Always tell someone where you are going, what time you will be back, who you are going with and who you are meeting.
- Always meet in a public place, like a shopping mall, and don't go off with them on your own, especially on your first meeting.
- Remember to take your mobile with you so that you can call someone if you get stuck, or feel uncomfortable.
