Social+Networking+Safety

Social Networking Safety

 * Its important to know how to be safe while social networking. Most importantly // you should know not to talk to anyone you don't know personally. //**** Also if someone does try to approach you online never give out any personal information such as your age, where you live, go to school, etc. People may pose as young teens and try to lure you in by making it seem like they like you and are interested. This is called grooming.

Another important thing you have to know about is the sending of pictures. If you send out inappropriate pictures of your self to someone that you may thinks love you chances are they'll show there "buddies" and within hours that picture will be all over your school, and you'll both have to deal with the consequences. You should aslo be aware of sexting.

****Rule 1: Don't talk to people you don't know**

Talking to people you don't know is one way of not staying safe. When you open yourself up to others you don't know it puts you in a lot of danger, and you never know if someone is acting as someone else. Someone may pose as someone they're really not which can put your life in danger if you get yourself too involved with them. For instance a young girl, [|Megan Meier], was talking to an older women who was posing as a young boy. The boy started talking to her and telling her that he loved her, but then he began to say hurtful things to her and she ended her life because of it. That's a perfect example of why you shouldn't be talking to people you don't know, only talk to people you know or you can potentially be putting your life in danger.


 * Here is an example of someone posing as somebody else trying to meet up with a girl. Note, the conversation begins at the bottom of this image.**




 * Rule 2: Don't lie about your age**

[|Facebook], [|myspace] and other social networks have age limits for a reason. Don't lie about your age just so you can be apart of these sites. Also by lying about your age it can attract older people to your page which isn't a good thing. Both boys and girls in the 7th and 8th grade should especially not be on facebook because you are not old enough and its attracting the wrong people to your page. Please take to heart what we are saying.

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 * Rule 3: Don't give away you're email and password to others**

It is important not to give you're email and password to others. It allows them to access all your personal information. They can also change your password so that you wouldn't be able to access your account. It is very important to not share it with people even if you just tell one person because it can get around and many people would know your information. People can also pretend to be you if they have your email and password.


 * Rule 4: Don't give away personal information**

To construct a [|facebook] or [|myspace] page, each application will ask for personal information such as your name, age, where you live, and what school you attend. Most people join there school network which is okay, but giving out any information such as phone numbers and addresses lets anyone who sees your page know where you live. To protect yourself make your page private. A private page only allows people you friend with to see your personal information. I recommend everyone to keep a private page, so you know the wrong people are not looking you up.

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 * This is what your privacy settings should look like so that you page is completely private.**


 * Rule 5: Don't post inappropriate pictures of yourself**

Anytime you post a picture on the web remember anyone can see it, sometimes even if your profile is private. It's common for girls to post pictures of them selves wearing little clothing. Posting pictures in revealing clothing is not acceptable even it is a picture of you poolside or at the beach.. Also pictures that are of you or a group doing inappropriate things such as those that involve drinking/smoking are inappropriate. Basically don't post anything that you wouldn't want your parents to see you doing.

Posting inappropriate pictures doesn't stop at social networks its also happening through peoples cell phones. Sex-ting which is sending provocative pictures through cell phones is something that can get you in trouble.

Here are some cartoon examples of why you shouldn't post or send inappropriate pictures of yourself.





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