Internet Safety Tips for Young Surfers

• Always follow the rules that your parents or teachers set for your Internet use.
• Never give out personal information such as your name, address, or phone number when talking online. You or your family may not be safe if you do.
• Do not create a personal online profile.
• Do not post any information about you, or anyone else, anywhere on the Internet. Posting information about your or anyone else may get you or someone else in trouble, and may not be safe.
• Learn how to block others from seeing your personal information or contacting you.
• Learn how to report abuse to your Internet service provider.
• Don't bully, threaten, or harass anyone online. Don't login to any computer or account that doesn't belong to you. And don't share files that are harmful or offensive. Doing any of these could get you in serious trouble.
• Keep your passwords private. Do not give them to anyone besides your parents.
• Do not share photos or files with people you do not know.
• Always delete unknown e-mail attachments without opening them. E-mail attachments can contain viruses and other programs that might damage your computer.
• Ignore ayone that makes you feel bad while you are talking on the Internet.
• If you ever feel uncomfortable about something you see, hear, or read on the Internet, leave the computer alone and tell an adult right away!
• Never agree to get together with someone you have met online. If anyone you meet online asks you to get together with them, tell an adult right away!
• Remember that the Internet is not private. Anyone that wants to find you, can find you.
• Remember that people on the Internet sometimes lie about who and what they are.
• If you think a friend is in trouble, tell an adult. You could save a life.
• Remember, most importantly, that anyone that you meet online that tells you that they love you, that they care about you, and that they can help you take care of your problems, may want to hurt you. Turning to the Internet to make new friends can be dangerous. Talk to someone who cares about you, like a friend, a parent, teacher, or coach when you need a friend.