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Most websites on Yahoo are restricted which means you can only view sites suitable to your age range and taste.
The risks on the internet fall broadly into 3 categories, technology risks, people risks and material risks.
Technology risks come in various forms, they can be viriuses disguised as downloads or e-mails or someone "hacking" into your PC and viewing personal data; that means they make a link to your computer and can view all your files and internet access.
It is very easy for people who talk on the internet to tell you anything and you have no way of knowing whether it's the truth or not.
The material put on the internet is not controlled at the moment. This means people can create webpages and put whatever material they like on there. In order to avoid seeing things you shouldn't make use of search engines like MSN and Google where content is restricted to that suitable for under 18 unless you allow otherwise. Talk to your parent/guardian about the settings for your computer so they can help direct you to the best sites and avoid the inappropriate ones!
The effects of the above also fall into 3 categories
Personal Safety
Feeling uncomfortable
Physical harm or exploitation
Legal Issues
Harassment
Your Money
Responsibility
Credit cards
There are websites, newsgroups, chat rooms, and other places online that contain material that could make you or your family upset or embarrassed. It could be sexual or violent, encouraging offensive attitudes or discussing activities that you find repulsive or unpleasant.
The most serious risk involves the possibility of someone hurting or exploiting you or your family through collecting personal information like a picture, name, address, or age that has been posted online. These could be used to trace, contact and meet you or one of your family with the intention of causing harm. An unpleasant relationship may develop, either online or in person.
There is a chance of receiving upsetting or unpleasant messages on the Internet.
Those who annoy other users, or send messages with lies about people, are at risk of being in trouble with other users, the Internet Service Provider or ultimately the police.
Whoever pays for an Internet account may be held responsible for anyone else who uses it.
Credit card abuse is a potential problem, since using an adult's credit card details could give young people access to adult websites
Don't give out information about yourself like your last name, your phone number, where you live, or where you go to school - without asking your parents first.
Never e-mail a picutre of yourself to strangers.
If somebody says something to you, sends you something, or you see something that makes you uncomfortable, don't look around or explore; get your parents instead - they know what to do.
Making plans to meet your Internet buddies in real life is usually a really bad idea - how people are in real life can be very different from how they are online. If you decide to do it anyway, have your parent or guardian help make the plans and go with you.
Don't open up e-mails, files, or Web pages that you get from people you don't really know or trust.
Don't ever give out your password, except to responsible adults in your family.
Always follow your family's rules for the Internet - they're there to make sure you have fun and stay safe online.
Don't ever do anything that could cost your family money unless your parents are there to help you do it.
For additional resources, check out SafeKids.Com's Kids' Rules.
S - keep your personal details Secret - Never use your parents' credit card without their permission, and always keep your name, address, and password private - it's like giving out the keys to your home!
M - never Meet someone you have contacted in Cyberspace without your parent's/carer's permission, and Internet Watch Foundation then only when they can be present.
A - don't Accept emails or open files from people or organisations you don't really know or trust as they may contain viruses or nasty messages.
R - Remember that someone online may not be who they say they are. If you feel uncomfortable or worried in a chat room, simply get out of there!
T - Tell your parent or carer if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried. Remember you're in charge out there!
Quiz
So you think you now know how to surf safe....well.....take the quiz and test your knowledge!
More than one answer may be correct for each question, so tick all the ones you might consider...but beware, points will be deducted for wrong answers!
1 How can you tell which websites a previous user has been looking at?
a) ask them
b) contact the Internet Service Provider (ISP)
c) use the History feature in the browser software
2 What would you do if you got an email from someone offering you a quick way to earn money?
a) reply quickly with your full details
b) tell your folks or teacher
c) ignore it and delete it
3 If you visit a site which embarrasses you, what do you do?
a) share it with your friends
b) tell an adult you know and trust
c) click on "Home" to leave that site
4 There's someone in a chatroom, saying she's fourteen. Would you automatically believe she's a young girl?
a) yes, because you trust her
b) yes, because the moderator will have checked
c) no
5 What's the best way to deal with abusive messages?
a) reply and complain
b) ignore them
c) tell an adult you know and trust
d) tell your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
6 Which information would you give to a website asking for your details?
a) first name only
b) everything it asks for
c) nothing that could be used to trace you
7 If your family was worried about you using the Internet, what would you do?
a) take no notice, they're too old to understand
b) access it when they're not about
c) talk to them about what you do
8 What are the risks of putting your picture on the Internet?
a) there aren't any
b) the picture could be edited in an embarrassing way and sent to others or published on the web
c) you could be traced by someone who might wish you harm
9 You've been chatting online to someone for a while, and they suggest a meeting. What would you do?
a) immediately fix the date and time
b) tell your family and friends
c) have a telephone conversation first, take someone with you, and arrange to meet in a public place
10 Which of these could spell trouble?
a) sending a message to a newsgroup
b) buying something online
c) irritating another user online
d) sharing gossip about someone
Click here for the answers. Use the back button or the link at the bottom of the answers to come back to this page.
Keep your wits about you when surfing cos you don't want to be eaten by a web shark!