Top Ten Tips for Kids for Viral Media

From the Editors of Common Sense Media

Top Ten Tips for Kids for Viral Media

 

1. Never give any personal information to anyone you meet online. That means no pictures, first or last names, no schools, phone numbers (they can track down your

home), passwords, ages or credit card information.

2. Never hook up with anyone you don’t already know. Don't tell anyone your schedule and don't say where you’ll be hanging out. People are often not who they say they are. Remember, 1 in 3 kids will be sexually solicited online.

3. Don't fill out any "fun" questionnaires that are forwarded to you, even if they are from your friends. You are in a world where everything can get forwarded. All those personal things about you could land in the hands of someone who could use them to hurt you.

4. Make sure you know everyone on your buddy list. If you haven't met the person face-to-face, they may not be who they say they are. Also, Instant Messaging a stranger is an invasion of their privacy.

5. You don't have to answer emails or IMs from people you don’t know. As a matter of fact, you shouldn’t. Who knows who they are? Even if they say they are "David’s friend," David could be a lucky guess. "Kids" you meet in chatrooms may actually be adults.

For more tips, please visit the full article at:  http://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent_tips/viral-media.php .