Whether it’s surfing the net or e-mailing friends, you probably go online several times a day. Chat rooms are especially popular. They can be a lot of fun, but chat rooms also pose some of the greatest dangers in the electronic world. If you’re aware of the risks and follow some simple rules, you’ll be better able to protect yourself.
Agreeing to Ground Rules
Before you venture into a chat room, talk with your parents about the kind of online discussion groups you plan to check out. This doesn’t mean you’re giving up your privacy; it shows you’re being responsible — and your parents are more likely to trust you if you’re open and honest.
Also, look for chat rooms that have adult moderators — someone who will put an end to any inappropriate talk or behavior. You can find out if a site has an adult moderator by checking the site’s privacy policy; some chat rooms will also indicate if they are moderated.
However, if you decide to go into a private chat room, there’s nobody to keep an eye on what information is being exchanged. So be very cautious and ask yourself a couple of questions. Why is this person insisting we chat privately? And is it really a good idea to take that chance?
Public Chat Rooms
Although chat rooms exist in the “virtual” world, they are very real public places. So never say anything in a chat room you wouldn’t want to be public knowledge. Also, never post personal information including your name, phone number, address, school or photos of yourself. Keeping your identity private is important because you don’t want to become a target for criminals or people that may want to hurt you. Avoid using a screen name that might identify you or where you live. Keep it gender-neutral and change it frequently so if someone is bothering you, you can move on without them finding you.
Avoid “Meeting” Online Friends
Unfortunately, sometimes people are not who they say they are online. Consider this if you’re thinking about meeting a “cyber friend” in person. You may think you are talking to another teenager only to find out the person is an adult who may want to harm you. You should be aware of the following traps that an online acquaintance may use to meet you or get you to do something that could put you in danger:
- Messages that ask for extremely personal and private information, especially inappropriate talk about sex.
- A fellow chatter who attempts to bully you or turn you against your family and friends
- Messages that suggest meeting in person without a parent or adult
If you receive any of these kinds of messages, you should do two things immediately: first, never respond to the hostile or inappropriate message and second, leave the chat room. You should then report the incident to police and the chat room moderator. Many online sexual predators have been caught due to teens coming forward and reporting the incident.
By using these safety tips and keeping the lines of communication open with your parents, you’re likely to have both a fun and, most importantly, a safe chat room experience.
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