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| 1 |
Don't provide any
information that you don't have to. You should never tell
someone highly personal information about yourself, including:
- The full name(s) of you and/or your
children
- Your home address
- The name and address of the company
where you work
- The school that you or your children
study at
- Your phone number (for home or work)
Giving out such information not only
applies to telling someone in a chat room, or through messages, but also
when entering information on online forms. Some sites provide a
form or questionnaire to obtain feedback or input from those accessing
their Web site or a product they sell. Other sites -- for example,
Microsoft -- use such forms to get information so they can provide
better customer support. While many of the online forms on the
Internet are used for reputable purposes, almost anyone can create such
forms and put them online. You should never enter personal
information into a form if you don't know the company, or unsure if its
really the Web site of that company. After all, someone could put
up a few Web pages posing as a survey company, business, or someone
having a contest, when really they have no affiliation with any
reputable business. The last thing you want is to tell a
criminal where you and your family live, work, how much money you make,
and so on.
If you do need to provide a contact
address, consider getting a post office box, and using that as a method
that people can send information to. Single women may also
consider using the P.O. Box or mailing address of a trusted male friend.
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| 2 |
Never agree to meet with
someone you've met on the Internet at a private or secluded
place. This includes meeting at your home or theirs.
Remember that the person is still a stranger, in the sense that you
haven't met them face-to-face yet. If you do want to meet with
someone you've made friends with over the Internet, meet at a
restaurant or some other place that's filled with people.
Continue to meet at public places for at least the first few
face-to-face meetings. Don't give out your address, phone
number, and other personal information to them on the first
meeting. Play it cautious, and play it safe. |
| 3 |
If you receive any messages
that make you uncomfortable, (through email, chat, etc.), try to block
that person from sending you any other messages. Many email,
chat, and message programs allow you to filter messages or add certain
people to an ignore list. Such features block a person from
contacting you. If the messages are threatening, make note of
the user's email address or other information, and print out copies of
messages previously sent to you. Contact the police, and
provide these messages and information to the police. |
| 4 |
Ensure that your children
know that they aren't allowed to send personal information to other
people on the Internet -- unless it's with your
permission. If a child sends personal information (i.e.
last name, phone number, address, etc.), it can lead to
problems. Having this information wind up in the wrong hands
could increase your chances of being victimized by that person. |
| 5 |
Realize that people may not
be who they say they are. The Internet allows a level of
anonymity, and an adult could pretend to be someone they're not.
An adult could pretend to be a child who's the same age as your child,
so that they can chat and get to know your child better. Such
conversations may take place over long periods of time, so that they
earn the child's trust. |
| 6 |
Check the settings of
programs that you and your children use on the Internet. When
installing Internet software, only enter a minimal amount of
information about yourself. Some software (like online chat
programs) allow users to view personal information about other people
on the Internet. Through these settings, others can see such
information as your last name, gender, age, phone number, street
address, and so on. You should never enter into these settings
any information that will allow others to find you. |
| 7 |
Parents need to be familiar
with their children's use of the computer. This is especially
true when they're connected to the Internet. Get involved with
your child and ask questions about what they're doing and how they're
doing it. |
| 8 |
Set the family computer up
in a common room. By keeping the computer in a high traffic,
visible location of your home, you will be able to routinely walk by
the computer and see what your children are doing on the
Internet. This will allow you to see the Web pages your children
are accessing, and allow you to be near them if they need help.
Your child's bedroom, or an out of the way computer room, may seem a
convenient place to keep the computer. However, it's generally
not the best place to ensure your child is safe and secure. |
| 9 |
Establish rules on how the
computer should be used. The rules should limit a child's access
time, duration of time spent online, and what the child is allowed to
do. For example, depending on the age and maturity of the child,
you may allow them to surf the Web, but not allow them to access chat
rooms. |
| 10 |
If you're concerned about
the Web sites or chats that your children are participating in or have
access to, talk to your children about it. Explain why you're
concerned. Also, contact your Internet Service Provider, and
learn about techniques and software that is available to block access
to such sites on the Internet. |
A printable version of this document is also available to view and
download. To find out more, click HERE
to visit the Just the FAQs
section of our Web site.
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