Internet Safety

11 min read

The Internet has opened up a whole new world for people of all ages. You can shop, plan a vacation, send a picture to a relative, talk with friends and even do research for school. This new way of finding information and communicating does come with risks. Check out the links below for ways to stay safe online.

If you want to start using the Internet, you will most likely use a web browser called Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. To get to a "web site," you need a "web address." There are four major kinds of web addresses. The endings give a clue as to what type of web address it is. For example:

  • Web addresses that end in .gov are government web sites. www.girlshealth.gov is a government site.
  • Web addresses that end in .edu are web sites that are connected with educational institutions like schools and colleges. Check out a college web site at www.harvard.edu.
  • Web addresses that end in .org are usually, but not always connected with an organization. Check out www.youngwomenshealth.org for an example.
  • Web addresses that end in .com are connected with a commercial site or a company that is selling something. Nickelodeon's site at www.nick.com is an example.

The answer is NO! Being able to tell if something on the Internet is reliable, accurate, true or real is tough for adults and even harder for teens. Some of what's out there is good information, but some of it is just plain wrong. Everyone must first question the source. So how can you tell what information is okay and what isn't okay? Here are some general tips on how to tell if the web site and information is reliable:

  • Web sites that end in .gov are generally reliable because they are connected with our government.
  • Look for the name of the organization, the author of the web site, and when the information was updated. Reliable web sites often have a list of references or contacts where you can find out where the information originally came from.
  • If you are looking for facts, check out a few different web sites to compare information. If you are in doubt, double check facts at the library. This way you will know which web sites give you correct information.
  • Ask your teachers about reliable web sites to go to for homework help. Once you find a reliable web site, you can bookmark it so you can easily find it later.
  • Ask your doctor or school nurse about web sites to go to for reliable health information. When you get a recommendation from a professional, it most likely will be a web site with information you can trust.
  • Reliable web sites usually have reliable links – so when you get lucky and find a great web site, you may get to know other good sites too.

If you end up at a site that you know is not for you, click the "Back" button on the top of the screen. This will bring you back to the original web site that you were viewing. If you get "pop-ups" (usually small windows with unwanted ads), just keep closing the windows by clicking the X button until you are back on the original screen that you were looking at. You should tell your parents/guardians what the web address was so that they can block the site from your computer. Many web browsers track web activity to make an Internet history. Your parents/guardians may be able to check what web sites you have looked at and remind you not to go to any sites that are not for teens.If you end up at a site that you know is not for you, click the "Back" button on the top of the screen. This will bring you back to the original web site that you were viewing. If you get "pop-ups" (usually small windows with unwanted ads), just keep closing the windows by clicking the X button until you are back on the original screen that you were looking at. You should tell your parents/guardians what the web address was so that they can block the site from your computer. Many web browsers track web activity to make an Internet history. Your parents/guardians may be able to check what web sites you have looked at and remind you not to go to any sites that are not for teens.

It's possible to download all sorts of information, programs, and music from the Internet. After you have your parent/guardian's permission to download something, be sure that you know exactly what you are downloading and where the download is from, before you do it. If you don't know who is sending you the information, don't download it because it may have a virus, which can damage the computer.

  • If you accidentally begin downloading something, push the "Stop" button at the top of your screen. This will stop the download from completing and will cancel the process.
  • Make sure you have an updated version of virus protection software on your computer.

When you want to begin using the Internet to find information or to chat with or e-mail your friends, it is important that you talk to your parents first. Even if your parents don't know much about computers or the Internet, they can help you think about ways to stay safe. You can work together and agree on rules for using the Internet, such as whether it is okay to go on-line and when, what kind of Internet sites you can go to, and how to set up an e-mail account. You and your parents can set up filters, which means that some sites that contain inappropriate things like hateful or violent messages won't open on your computer.

You should never use your real name as your on-line name. By using your real name, anyone can know right away who you are and can probably find out more about you. This is especially true in chat rooms, where you can get comfortable chatting with someone and suddenly realize they know things about you.

You probably want your on-line name to describe who you are, but be careful about the name and words you choose. Remember when you're talking on-line to people you don't know well, some people may unfairly judge you by your on-line name. For example, if you choose a name like hotbabe13, people will get the wrong impression of you and you most likely will get unwanted e-mails from people who are just responding to your on-line name and not to who you really are. If you can't think of an on-line name to use without describing something about yourself, try using the name of a candy bar, color, or something else that's not personal. If the name is already taken, you can try adding a few numbers, for example – Green123.

When you create an on-line name or e-mail account, you may need to set up a profile to identify yourself. Talk to your parents first about whether or not you should fill out this information. A profile will ask you for personal information like your name, address, and hobbies. Remember that your profile is the fastest way for anyone to find out more about you. It is never a good idea to use your last name or address!

If you end up at a site that you know is not for you, click the "Back" button on the top of the screen. This will bring you back to the original web site that you were viewing. If you get "pop-ups" (usually small windows with unwanted advertisements), just keep closing the windows by clicking the X button until you are back on the original screen that you were looking at. You should tell your parents what the web address was so that they can block the site from your computer. Many web browsers track web activity and create an Internet history. Your parents may be able to check what web sites you have looked at, and remind you not to go to any sites that are not for teens.

IMing is short for "Instant Messaging" and is a fast way to e-mail someone from your computer or certain kinds of digital cell phones. IMing has its own language made up of short abbreviated words such as brb for "be right back" and lol for "laughing out loud." In order for IMing to work, you and the people you plan to IM must download the software first. The software allows you to set up an address or buddy list of the people you want to IM. Since IMing isn't as private as you might think, it's important to know how to stay safe and have fun too:

  • Always ask your parents for permission first to download IM or other software!
  • Do not respond to IM's from people you don't know or IM's that look strange. It is possible to get unwanted IM's. Similar to e-mails, IM's can also contain viruses.
  • Don't forget to sign off of Instant Messenger when you are finished and change your password regularly. This will prevent others from using your IM account.
  • If you receive an IM that makes you feel uncomfortable, do not respond to it. It's best to tell your parents about it, too.

Some Internet services allow you to talk with other people in a chat room, a place that allows you to talk to more than one person at a time. Chat rooms are often organized around topics such as sports, hobbies, and fan clubs. There are so many different kinds of chat rooms that it's possible to talk to people all around the world, 24 hours a day.

Before you enter a chat, be sure you have permission from a parent or guardian to do so!

Some chat rooms are thought to be safe because the topic that is being talked about is safe and because there is a moderator leading the chat. Even if the topic is okay, some people might talk about other things that can make you uncomfortable.

A chat moderator supervises a chat. A moderator can kick someone out of a chat if they write something they shouldn't, but the moderator can't stop you from going to a private chat area with someone who might harm or threaten you. If you are allowed to go to a chat, be careful to check out the topic first. Your parents can check out the chat room first to make sure the conversation is okay. Some people who go into chats may want to imagine that you are someone you are not or play out their fantasy by saying bad things to you. If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, leave the chat immediately.

It's possible to download all sorts of information, programs, and music from the Internet. After you have your parent's permission to download something, be sure that you know exactly what you are downloading and whom the download is from, before you do it. If you don't know who is sending you the information, don't download it because it might have a virus, which can damage the computer.

  • If you accidentally begin downloading something, push the "Stop" button at the top of your screen. This will stop the download from completing and will cancel the process.
  • Make sure you have an updated version of virus protection software on your computer!

Netiquette is the word used to describe Internet etiquette (manners), or the way that you should behave while on-line. It is important to always be considerate of others and never use bad language. Only say things on-line that you would say face-to-face with a person. Some Internet Service Providers (the company running your e-mail program) can monitor what you say to others. If you use bad language, your Internet provider may send a warning to the head of your Internet account, which usually is a parent. You could have your Internet use stopped by your Internet provider or your parents!

No. You should not share your password with any of your friends, even your best friend. The only people who should know your Internet or e-mail password are your parents and you! If you let someone else know what your password is, then they can read anything that you may want to keep private. Another person could use bad language or go to sites you shouldn't be at under your name.

Yes! Just like you wouldn't walk up to a stranger and tell them your name, where you live, where you go to school or give them your phone number, you shouldn't share this kind of information on-line either. It is very important that you don't e-mail or instant message anyone that you don't know or share any information that can identify you. Don't put your picture on the Internet unless you are e-mailing a friend or family member.

Remember:

  • Don't give out credit card information over the Internet. It is easy for someone to steal your money this way.
  • Don't e-mail your photo or any information about where you live or hang out.
  • Never share your name, address, phone number, or other information about yourself.

The scary thing is that it's REALLY hard to tell if someone is telling the truth, especially on-line. There are people out there who lie about who they are and stalk young girls on the Internet. For example, someone may lie and tell you that they are much younger or even older than they are. Even if you try to check on the person by reading their on-line profile, a person can easily lie about themselves and their age. Bottom line is that some people who use the Internet can't be trusted and could hurt you.

Even though you may feel like you know someone you met on-line really well, this person is still a stranger. It's best never to meet someone you met on-line in person. If someone that you met on-line wants to meet you in person, you should tell your parents or a trusted adult right away.

If someone on the Internet sends you lots of e-mails, follows you into chat rooms, or sends you messages even after you have stopped responding, then the person may be harassing you. First, tell your parents right away about the person. The next step is to try ignoring the person while you are on the Internet to see if they will leave you alone and get the hint. If they continue to bother you even after you have stopped responding, then you and your parents can call your Internet Service Provider and complain about the other person. You and your parents can also talk to the police. It is not your fault if someone starts bothering you! You and your parents can stop them from harassing you and someone else.