Category - Internet
Topic - Social Networking Sites
Issue - Safety tips for teens
Tiptoid -
Social networking online sites (including blogs, email, chat rooms, and instant messaging) are extremely popular, but can be very dangerous, too. These sites allow you to connect with people all over the world. Your circle of friends widens, and that's terrific!
Some of these contacts you know personally – they are school friends or relatives - but some of them are anonymous. Shalma and I enjoy communicating online, but we have heard too many stories of bad things happening to people our age. So we are very careful about who we select to talk with online.
Here are some very important tips we advise you to follow if you want to safely communicate on social networking sites.
• Compare each social networking site before you decide to use the site. What safeguards do the site managers have in place to protect you? Is there a tight control over who can access your postings?
• Restrict access to your page to keep control over the information you post.
• Make sure your screen name doesn't say too much about you. You may think that strangers will never find out who you are, but people who want to, will.
• Don't put any information about yourself on your site that you don't want everyone to know. This includes your birth date and your age. Everyone can access the information you place on the internet.
• Do not divulge your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number, and bank or credit card account numbers EVER!!!
• Do not post your photo! Your photo can be pulled and posted elsewhere, which results that could damage your reputation.
• Do not flirt online. You may be dealing with predators who can find out where you live. They are very determined and very scary.
• Be cautious if a new friend wants to meet you in person. Talk to your parents right away!
• Trust your instincts if you have suspicions. If you feel threatened by someone, or just plain worried, tell a trusted adult immediately.
The internet is safest when used for networking with people you already know, or might know, in real life. Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?
Glossary -
anonymous - without any name acknowledged, of unidentified name
instinct - a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency
Find Out More -
“Social Networking Sites - Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens,” The Washington Times , April 23, 2007
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Submitted by - Hafsa Adaweh and Shalma Begum
Site Manager - Chris Ricci
June 2007