The Internet And You
The Internet is one of the greatest conveniences of our time,
because it brings the world to you. But, just as when interacting in person, there are dangers associated with the Internet.
Who Is Out There?
Because of the Internet’s anonymity, some individuals are not who they pretend to be.
Chat rooms and other Web-based social networking sites are not “chaperoned,” and can
be among the most dangerous areas of the Internet.
Why? Because you enter a chat room, strike up a conversation and soon you may be sharing
personal information. Unfortunately, your typewritten conversation can be seen by everyone
in the chat room and that includes adult- or older-teen
predators looking for their next
victims.
If a stranger approached you and asked for your name, home address, phone number and other
financial information, you would not give it out. So, it is important to remember not to
release that information online either.
The Internet, Your Parents and You
Your parents want the best for you and it is their job to keep
you safe. Make sure they are OK with your Internet activities —
what sites you can visit and how long you can stay online, for
example. You should also share your password with your parents.
If something happens to you, their ability to access your
Internet records may save your life. Talk to them. Tell them you
respect their privacy and trust them to respect yours.
What Else Can You Do To Stay Safe?
Stay anonymous. Do not post information that will identify
you, including:
- Your full name.
- Your home address or
phone number.
- Your Social Security
number.
- Passwords.
- Credit card or bank
account numbers.
- Names of family members
or friends.
- Your school, workplace
or favorite hangout.
- Names of clubs or
organizations to which you belong.
- Information that would
help someone guess where you live.
- Do not use a nickname
that can be used to identify you in any way —
“CharlestonTeen,” “LeeHighRunner” or
“KyWildcatFan,” for example.
- Never share your account password with anyone except your parents.
Protect Your Computer System
- Consider using
encryption to protect your personal information.
- Shut down your computer
when it is not in use — especially in public
places, such as Internet cafes, coffeehouses or
airports.
- Keep your antivirus and
antispyware programs, other software and
operating systems updated to protect against new
attacks.
- Consider using a firewall on your system to protect against hackers accessing your system remotely.
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For More Information On Internet Safety
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The Internet can be a great resource for teens.
This article gives you tools and tips for staying safe when
networking on the Internet. See Common Internet Terms
for
frequently used words.
Topics covered in this section are:
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Education
Education