How to be Safe in the Chat Rooms

The internet is a place to make new friends. It is easy to just chat with someone. However, you have to be careful and listen carefully to what is being said. After a while, you can tell if someone is lying or is really becoming a friend. You also have to listen to the questions that are asked, because many adults pretend they are young and friendly just to lure the unsuspecting into a trap to meet them for sex. Be careful and watch the information that you yourself give online.

Steps:

1. Watch the way others approach you or start a conversation. If they start asking questions about you, like where you live or if you are home alone, then they are not trying to be friends. They are trying to find out personal information so that they can possibly harm you. Stay away from these people. Do not reply, and if they insist, shut off your computer.
2. Allow your inner self to hear what they are saying. Suppose someone starts talking to you, and tells you about school. You can chat back and forth without getting personal. They make you laugh and you kid around with them. You talk about teachers, homework, and movies. This is the start of a friendship. Continue with this type of person, but again, listen for warning signs. This is called a 'red flag' on the Internet. Once you sense a red flag, discontinue the conversation.
3. Understand that if a person on the chat starts the conversation by asking your age, where you live, and if your parents work, this is a red flag. Stop the conversation, or do not give out correct information. Understand however, that this person does not want to be a friend.
4. Pictures Are Not Recommended. Even if your picture doesn't show street names, license plates, or any PI, pictures are showing what you (or your friends!) look like.
5. Any sexual language like "You wanna do?", and you should leave and tell someone (like the police) IMMEDIATELY. No exceptions.
6. Cyber-violence (unless make-believe, like shooting orbs of water out of your hands) is not acceptable either. If anyone says "*punches u and u bleed*" or anything like that, leave and tell.
7. Telling is not tattling. If someone hurts you or makes you feel uncomfortable, online or offline, you should always tell someone.
8. Know you are not alone. Many kids get harassed on the internet, but now you know what to do if you are added to that already large group of kids

Tips:

• The Internet is a great place to meet others with the same interests.
• Talking to school friends over a chat program makes it easy to talk about homework or school activities.
• It is better not to trust strangers in chat rooms; be wary, and be careful.
• Note that just because the chat room is supposed to be just for one gender, or everybody is supposed to be of one religion, on the internet anybody can claim to be anybody else.
• PI means Private Information
• Remember, the internet is serious business.

source: www.wikihow.com