Tips for Teenagers and Young Adults | Español |
Never enter any information about yourself without first checking with your parents or guardians.
Just because a website seems OK doesn’t mean it necessarily is what it appears to be.
If you download anything from a website, be extra careful.
Be mindful when posting online.
What should you report?
All about chatrooms.
Tips for Teenagers and Young Adults
Never enter any information about yourself without first checking with your parents or guardians.
Before letting you in, some websites ask for information about you—perhaps your name, mailing address or e-mail address. You may be asked to provide the information in exchange for a gift or entering your name in a contest. Do not share any personal information about yourself without first checking with your parents or guardians.
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Just because a website seems OK doesn’t mean it necessarily is what it appears to be.
Anyone— including creeps and criminals—can set up their own website.
If you download anything from a website, be extra careful.
Some websites ask your permission to download a program or “plug-in.” In some cases these programs can be used to display annoying advertising on your computer. Even worse, they can invade your privacy by tracking what you’re doing online. They can also plant viruses or increase your risk of a “hacker attack.” Don’t download anything unless you’re certain it is from a trustworthy source.
Be mindful when posting online.
Some teenagers have their own websites or post information on websites run by their school or an organization they belong to. That’s terrific, but if you post something on the web, be sure to never include your home address, telephone number, school name or photograph. If you want people to be able to contact you online, be sure you get permission from your parents or guardians first. If they’re OK with it, give an e-mail address that doesn’t let anyone know whether you are a male or female. It’s also not a good idea to use a provocative e-mail address that might bring unwanted attention to you.
What should you report?
If any of the above happens to you or a friend, tell an adult you trust and report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline
ALL ABOUT CHATROOMS
While in chatrooms…
Did you know, chatrooms can be used against you?
Using Caution.
What should you report?
While in chatrooms…
Chatrooms let you have a conversation with people around the block or around the world. It’s like being on a party line, only you type instead of talk. Everyone in the chatroom can see everything you type.
Some chatrooms are just open conversations where everyone has an equal role.
Some rooms are moderated by a “speaker” leading the chat who tries to keep everything in order. Some rooms have chaperons or monitors who try to make sure things don’t get out of hand and can kick people out if they misbehave. Even so, in some of these rooms what you type is seen right away by everyone.
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And the monitor can’t prevent you from going off to a private chat area with a person who may want to hurt you or can put you in danger.
Did you know chatrooms can be used against you?
Chatrooms are perhaps the most dangerous areas on the Internet. You never know who’s there, so don’t write anything you wouldn’t say in public.
It’s not uncommon for people to meet in chatrooms. You enter a room, start chatting with someone and, before long, you’re having a conversation. That relationship may turn out OK, but there are some not-so-happy stories. Chatrooms are sometimes used by people to take advantage of others. Put bluntly, chatrooms—especially those frequented by teenagers—are used by some child molesters to find victims. Adults and older teens seeking to exploit younger people don’t necessarily tell the truth about who they are. Even teens your own age may try to hurt you. You have the right to remain in control of your own experiences. You don’t have to accept inappropriate behavior from anyone.
You may meet people in a room who seem to have a lot in common with you. They may be friendly and good listeners too. If the dialog remains strictly online, that may be OK. Just be careful not to give out any personal information.
Using caution
You may want to get together with someone you meet in a chatroom, but remember–people are not always who they seem to be.
Never give out personal information and never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you first “meet” in a chatroom, unless your parents or guardians have said it’s OK. Even then, you need to follow the precautions in “Do Not Meet in Person.”
Stay away from chatrooms that get into subjects associated with sex or cults or groups that do potentially dangerous things. It may seem interesting or fun, but some people may take you seriously or try to convince you to do something you don’t want to do. Be particularly suspicious of anyone who tries to turn you against your parents, guardians, teachers or friends.
On some services and websites, you can enter a private chat area. Once there, you can arrange to meet people. In some cases these rooms are truly private, but in others they may be listed in a directory of rooms. If so, there is nothing to stop others from entering those rooms. Be extra careful in these rooms or avoid them altogether.
A smart way to avoid harassment in a chatroom is to choose a name that doesn’t let people know if you’re a girl or guy. Just make sure the name doesn’t let anyone know anything about you or mean something that may encourage others to bother you.
What should you report?
If any of the above happens to you or a friend, tell an adult you trust and report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline.