Internet Safety Tips:

Staying safe online is a matter of exercising respect and using a common sense approach to personal safety.  By respecting yourself, others and the online community, Internet experiences can be safe and positive experiences.  Common sense will help guide decisions and outcomes.

Respect yourself…

· Follow the rules! Rules are set-up by teachers, parents and caregivers to guide and protect children and young adults so that they have safe, enjoyable experiences online.  Disregarding rules can be dangerous and cause undesirable consequences.

· Keep your personal identity private.  Information like your last name, address, phone number, name of your school and passwords are personal information and should be kept private.   Parents, guardians or caregivers should be consulted before giving out any personal information while online.

· People online are not always who they say they are.  Some people might pretend to be your friend when they are really up to no good.  Follow the rules established by your school, parents or caregivers regarding computer use and communicating with people online.

· Watch out for people that ask questions about your personal life. Do not tell your last name, address, phone number, name of your school, names of family members, if you are alone, or when your parents will be home.   You do not have to tell someone online anything.    

· Never send pics or videos of yourself to strangers.  You have no way of knowing what someone might do with those pictures or video.  The pictures could be altered or used in a way that could hurt you.

· Do not respond to anyone online that makes you feel uncomfortable. If someone makes you uncomfortable, tell your teacher, parent, caregiver or other trusted adult.

· If anything happens online that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell your teacher, parent, caregiver or other trusted adult.  Adults can help solve any problems that might occur.

· Avoid chat rooms, discussions or online situations that look shady or risky.   If something looks or feels wrong, then it probably is wrong.  Trust your instincts.

· Follow computer usage rules set-up by your school, parents or caregivers regarding contact with people online.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that people online are real-life friends; they are not!   People online are strangers. Ask your school, parents or caregivers regarding contact with people online.

· Do not meet in person with Internet buddies. If anyone online tries to meet with you in person, tell your teacher, parent, caregiver or other trusted adult so that they can help you decide what to do.

· Protect yourself and your computer from risk.  Never download anything from anyone that you don't know because it puts you and your computer at risk.  You may receive offensive materials that may cause problems, or you might download a dangerous virus that could infect your computer and destroy it.

· Don't open e-mails, attachments or links to Web pages that you get from people that you don't know personally.   People online are strangers.  If someone that you don’t know sends you something, check first with your teacher, parent, caregiver or other trusted adult before acting because a wrong choice could harm you or your computer.

Respect others…

· Respect other people’s rights while you are online.  Treat others as you would have them treat you.  Do not use mean, rude or offensive language.   

· Bullying others online is disrespectful, inappropriate behavior and is not acceptable.  If someone online makes you uncomfortable, tell your teacher, parent, caregiver or other trusted adult.

Respect the online community…

· Respect other people’s property while you are online.   Ask permission before downloading or using other people’s materials.  Give people credit for their work by properly citing the source in your school work or activities.

· Piracy is stealing and it is illegal. Do not illegally download media like music, pictures, movies or games from the Internet.  Check first with your teacher, parent, caregiver or other trusted adult.

· Respect age limits posted on websites. Some sites are intended for kids and some are intended for adults only.  Membership rules exist to protect people, and if you lie about your age to access materials, then you put yourself at risk. Talk with your teacher, parents, caregiver or other trusted adult about appropriate sites for you.

Return to FrontPage