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Internet safety

Online you can be anyone or anything you want.

Article by : SpunOut.ie

In chat rooms, email and message boards you can pretend to be a man, woman, 12 year old, world weary traveller or from a different country. This can be a lot of fun and the Internet is great for exploring your deep dark sexual desires and playing with identity.

Unfortunately, everyone else is doing the same thing. If you’re the trusting type you need to be carefully of believing everything you read online. So, if you’re online flirting with Maria (17, blonde, Canadian, great body) you might really be swapping virtual spit with John (72, bald, English, horny). Or a health message board might have advice from a cheeky teen claiming to be a doctor.

There’s no need to panic and throw your computer out the window, just don’t expect online friends or information to be exactly what they say.

Staying safe online

  • Don’t trust! Even if an online friend sounds more convincing than your own mother...
  • Be very wary of people who seem desperate to meet you or torture you for your phone number.
  • Use a nickname or just your first name when chatting online.
  • Never give out personal details online like your surname, phone number or where you live.
  • Don’t tell people where you go to school, college or work. If someone constantly asks for personal details ignore them.
  • Don’t send photos of yourself, friends or family.
  • When someone asks where you’re from only tell them the region (saying the north west instead of Donegal, or Northern Ireland instead of Derry).
  • Try not to give out your email address too often. You can end up with lots of junk mail or people harassing you.
  • If you want to talk to an online friend again, arrange to meet them at another time in the chat room.
  • If you’re sure you want to meet an online friend then BE CAREFUL. Always tell someone where you’re going and arrange to meet them in a public place. Think about asking a friend to come with you for the first meeting.

Find out lots more information on staying safe online here: www.webwise.ie

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