Web Safety
-
Chances are, if you're reading this article, you use the internet on a regular basis, like 17 million other teens in the US. After all, why wouldn't you? Online, you have unlimited access to all kinds of information, from politics to humor, school work to communication. Best of all, you can see everything in your own house. Chances are also pretty high that you've lied about yourself to someone on the internet sometime during your course of usage. Most lies are harmless, along the lines of "I'm tall and blonde," when you're really around 5'2" and very brunette. But if you can lie about anything online, then, obviously, so can someone else.
- Online safety is not just an issue for teens; everyone, from children to seniors, needs to exhibit some caution when surfing, chatting or making purchases. However, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, "teenagers are particularly at risk...because they are more likely to participate in online discussions regarding companionship, relationships, or sexual activity." And let's face it; we all think about sex. At first sight, the internet seems like the perfect, risk-free environment to learn more about it and even experiment (yes, I am talking about cybersex). Some people think that this kind of online relationship (chatting as well as cybersex) is fine, as long as it stays within your comfort zone. It's when these connections are brought together in the real world that dangerous situations can occur.
- Of the 60% of teen girls who have been approached for sex online, very few told an adult. This makes sense; not many of us are comfortable saying sex around the 'rents, much less telling them we're being propositioned for it. Another factor could be that most teenagers swathe their interent lives (not to mention real lives) in secrecy; it's no one elses business.
- This article is not a encouragement to run to mommy and daddy. Although you're certainly entitled to privacy, a little common sense can go a long way, to quote mothers everywhere. Below are some tips and friendly reminders for protecting yourself on the world wide web.
Never, ever give out personal information. Yes, this one has been warned and screamed at you to death, but that's probably a sign that it's an important one. Personal information includes your real, full name - I doubt anyone can hunt you down if their only clue is 'Karen.' Keep your address, zip code, city and phone number to yourself. And of course, never tell someone when you're going on vacation or when you're recieving a large shipment of priceless diamonds on the docks at midnight.
You can't trust everything on the web. People lie, and the interent is the perfect place to do it. You can never tell when the hot 16 year old guy who just sent you his picture is really a blading middle-aged man who sniffs the panties in WalMart. The previous comment was in no way intended to demean the charcter or appearence balding middle-aged men, no matter how fat or gross they may be.
Delete or block anyone who makes you uncomfortable. Thanks to the awareness of web servers, many have features that allow you to block messages or e-mails from anyone who's bugging you. Even if the person in question sounds a little intriguing, it's best to go with gut feelings and not get messed up in it. Now if only we could block annoying people in the real world...
Never meet an internet acquaintance by yourself. If there comes a time, after a long time, when you feel like you can meet someone you've talked with on the net, please don't go alone. If taking a parent is too mortifying for you, try some other adult, or at least a couple friends (preferably male). Meet in a public place and don't go anywhere alone with them for a while. And whatever you do, don't accept a ride. This person is still a stranger, and we all know about taking rides and candy from them.
Keep magnetic devices away from the computer. It screws up the hardrive. Don't do it.
The number of teens abducted or abused because of internet contacts is relatively low, so this is certainly no cause to panic. Just be careful out there. That's all.
-Jools
|
