About+Internet+Safety

 = ** This page is going to tell you more about Internet Safety. The area of concern is Internet Safety is __chatting online__. That’s right, not cyber bullying or scamming, but __chatting online__.** = = **In worldwide statistics, including one done by the Brunei Times, three in four children are __willing__ to share their particulars with strangers online. Why would these strangers want your particulars? They certainly would not want to write it down and stuff it somewhere and find it again during spring-cleaning. They want to use it. ** **This is where it becomes a concern. What would they want to use your particulars for? There are a number of crimes they can commit using your particulars.  These fishy strangers, though they might not seem fishy at first, can use your particulars to commit crimes, like scams and robbery. They use the particulars to “sign in” before they commit the crime. When the police get called in, they track the criminal until they finally get in on the child. Scary, ain’t it? Getting accused of a crime serious enough to get you in court and in jail as a child… ** **Not only can they get away with crimes letting the authorities thinking you did it, they can also use them to commit the crimes to you. They can use your address, school, name and ID number to track you down. When they have you alone and cornered and alone, who knows what they could want and could do to you. They might want to kidnap you and ask for ransom from your parents, they can rape you, they can abuse you, and the list goes on and on and on… ** **By now, you might feel disgusted, or curious, or maybe even scared. How on earth can you know who’s who? Don’t worry, they won’t be like the Bogeyman and hide under your bed in wait for you. There are always a few telltale signs and if you’re careful, you will be able to avoid these dangers. **** When you first sign in to a chat room and meet a few people, like when you write to your pen pal, you are strangers. Who should you make friends with and whom should you avoid? **= =** 1. **** When you first sign into a chat room, never ever give your particulars in the first place. Don’t even fake them, because when the bad guy finds out you tricked him, he is not gonna be happy. He might do something else, like threaten you online. ** ** 2. **** Do not give your particulars if one of your “friends” asks for them. Kill the chat immediately and maybe even sign out. You might want to bide your time and wait out the “friend” before you sign back in to the chat room or any other place where you can chat, like in an online interactive game. ** ** 3. **** If the “friend” doesn’t ask for it directly, but hint it out indirectly, do the same. Your “friend” might be an online criminal too, just a more careful one. ** ** 4. **** Even if the “friend” doesn’t ever show any signs of evil intention, do not give your particulars. It might be a more patient type of “friend”. If you’re 100% sure that your “friend” is reliable and that you too are not strangers to each other, still do not give your particulars out online. The evil “friend” might be tracking your chats. And if he can gets what he wants without having to ask for it, the better for him. ** ** All that does not mean that everybody on the Internet is evil. A majority of them do not have bad intentions. But you do have to act as if they are, so that you would be prepared, just in case. If you are considering whether or not you should to meet a really nice and friendly person you like that you have met online, go ahead. But be prepared. Take an adult with you, like your parents or relative. Any adult whom you are sure is reliable. ** 5. If the person threatens you to reveal your particulars, or tries to insult you in any way, you know for certain the person is not your "friend". Sign out of the chatroom immediately or even block the person. Do not respond to the person in any way and ignore the person if he approaches you again. **Go out and have fun on the Internet. It is a useful tool, for research, for fun, etc. But be careful and ready. You have been warned… **   = = ** Just kidding! Feel free to explore more on this topic ** **. ** = =By The CmPS Internet Safety Team =