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Internet Safety
Online social networking should be fun. But you need to know that there are unsafe people out there who can ruin things for you by bullying, stalking or luring you into dangerous situations. Here are some things to think about.
The internet is a public space. Everything you post may be seen by anyone if you aren’t careful. Make sure your privacy settings are high enough so that strangers can’t take advantage of you. Never post your phone number or address and don’t tell strangers your name, where you go to school, or your contact info.
Use your discretion when you post photos. Once they’re out there, they’re out there for good. If they’re the kind of pictures that you don’t want your parents to see, don’t post them! And if you post sexy pictures of yourself or your friends, YOU might accidentally become a child pornographer! Don’t do it.
Never, ever, go to meet someone you don’t know. Sexual predators will try and “groom” you into thinking that they are your friend, offering money, gifts or a glamorous life, or threatening you. Don’t buy into it. Be wary when someone asks you for a private chat and cut them off if what they say makes you uncomfortable. Tell someone you trust and save the evidence. We all have to work together to fight online predators and the first line of defence is your common sense.
If someone is saying hurtful things, it’s OK to tell them to stop, but don’t try to fight back. Instead, you can increase your privacy settings or block users who are problems. If you notice someone bullying, speak up against them and don’t forward hurtful emails or posts. And tell your parents or someone you trust (teachers, school counsellors, uncles or aunts, neighbours) -- it’s important to know that you have adults to back you up. When people are being mean, it’s easy to feel alone. But you aren’t. There are a lot of people you can turn to for help, you just need to ask.
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