Safe Space
Social networks like MySpace and Facebook offer an easy and fun way to stay connected to friends. But just like anything else in life, it’s smart to protect your personal safety.
Be careful what you share, and think twice about who you add to your friends list. Here are a few more tips for socializing online:
Make sure your screen name doesn’t say too much about you. Don’t use your name, your age or your hometown. Be cautious about posting information that could be used to locate you offline. (i.e. your school, sports team, where you work or hang out.). Don’t post other people’s information, either.
Once you post information online, you can’t take it back. Even if you delete the information from a site, older versions exist on other people’s computers. This includes photos, which can be altered and distributed in ways you may not be happy about.
Trust your gut if you have suspicions. If you feel threatened by someone or uncomfortable because of something online, tell an adult you trust and report it to the police and the social networking site.
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