Safety Tips from "Doug's Adventures Online"
1. No Trespassing: Keep Out!!! Don't tell ANYONE your password. Your online service should NEVER ask for it; neither should anyone else.
2. Smash Adams: Your screen name is all anyone needs to know. Don't EVER give out your full name, gender, home address, phone number or other personal stuff to anyone you meet in a chat room or online.
3. Express Yourself: Use emoticons to show people how you feel. Like, :) means "happy" and :( means "sad. Some others are ;) "winking", :-O "oh, no!, wow". Be creative; make up your own!
4. Over and out: If a person writes something mean or makes you feel uncomfortable, don't respond. Just log off and tell your parents so they can report it to the online service.
5. Nooooooo!: The "friends" you meet online may SOUND nice, cute and funny, but they may be just acting. So be smart. Even if they sound perfect, NEVER make plans to meet them in person.
6. Don't let anyone "bug" you: Delete mail and attached documents from people you don't know BEFORE you open it. It could contain a computer virus.
7. Be kind: Treat other online like you want them to treat you. Don't type in all caps (that means you're yelling), and proofread your e-mail. Remember, you can use emoticons to show people how you feel about what you're saying.
8. Private Property: Don't share photos or descriptions of yourself, your family, or your home with people you meet online.
9. Nothing personal: Nothing is completely safe from prying eyes on the Web, and that includes e-mail. So be careful and think about what you type and tell.
10. Yo! Mom! Check this out: Spend time surfing the web with your parents. Show them your favorite sites. You might even teach THEM something, like how to find information about great vacations!