Teen Safe

You, as a teen, probably have much more understanding of the net than your parents do, and you need to be aware of the risks as well. You may be able to use this information to prevent a friend from being stalked. You may be able to advise your family members when they begin to "get connected." 

This is information that everyone needs, and you, as the "wired" user, are in a good spot to advise them!

Has anyone ever traded photos and been completely surprised how the other person looked? Very different from what you pictured in your mind? Yes? 

When you talk to someone online, you build up a vision of that person, accurate or not, in your head. Your comfort with that person is based on your mental picture of them. Online, people are who they SAY they are. 

This does not mean they are honest or dishonest, especially... Often it's just that they don't say one way or the other whether they are old or young, what they look like, whether they are married or not, and so on. This can be perfectly innocent and safe--"just leaving details out." 

Or, it can be done on purpose, leading to stalking and harassment, and possibly real-life attack.

When are you not chatting safely?
*When you give out your name.
*When you give out your State or City.
*When you tell someone your grade.
*When you talk about playing on your school team--and include colors or mascots or school name--and position!
*When someone asks the name of the toughest team on your play schedule and when you play them--and you answer them.

You can be found, even when all the information given was thought to be "safe."

What do you do about it? :)

Consider, please: the number one rule in self-defense is to "be aware" of your circumstances. In other words, when you know what your circumstances are, you cannot be surprised as easily. You are safer when you know what can happen, and who is around. 

Being online is very similar in some ways. You now know a way that stalkers and pedophiles use to find victims. Now that you know it can be done, you're more able to avoid them. 

First of all, know this. Predators ARE out there. This is not pointed out to scare you. This is said because it's true, and you need to be aware of it. Just like in any city, town, or village there are criminals, online there are the same types of criminals. Generally speaking, if you can do it In Real Life (IRL), you can do it, or something like it, online.

Once you know that, you know you can't automatically trust people. Be very, very careful what you do with your personal information. Don't believe everything you see on a web site or in chatrooms. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

When you set up online e-mail accounts, such as Netscape or Hotmail or Yahoo! mail, set it up properly. Don't use your real name in the address. If your name is Ann Somegirl or Dan Thisguy, set up an e-mail with AS123SA@yahoo.com or t@netscape.net. Use something "blind" that means something to you, as long as it doesn't really contain your name. 

You can also use fake names, or chat handles, like: ZeroNiner@MyEmail.com or ThumbsUp@randomizermail.com. (These e-mails were made up. Any actual e-mails or nicknames lie the above are unintended and purely coincidental.)

What you then have to check (with any mail service) is that it does NOT show your actual (real) name in the reply-to section of the e-mail address. The service can help you with this if you cannot find the directions in the help or preferences menus.

Another thing you want to do is to set up your Instant Message (IM) service with the same sort of blind fields. AOL, ICQ, Yahoo and MSN all allow you to use your ID as your contact that the public sees, and your actual real name may stay hidden. 

In addition, to minimize the chances of getting "hooked" into scams or SPAMmed each time you sign on, you can check preferences for options to block messages that are sent globally (to everyone on the service), or even block messages coming from anyone outside your contact list. You can also disable the buddylists. Pedophiles like to use buddylists to find victims. 

When setting up your chat client, or chat program, you will want to fill in the ID information with false info. Using your chatname and a fake e-mail address is usually a good idea there. Once you've done that, you can come to WiredPatrol if you need more assistance, and we will help you check your data and set up anything else on the chat program that might need it. :)

The Internet is here to stay. It is a vast resource of information, services and fun! It is, most of the time, a very useful tool, and a wonderful development in this Information Age. You can be aware of the dangers it poses, and you CAN protect yourself and others. 

Should you or anyone you know have a problem with stalking, harassment, fraud, hoaxes, or run across some child pornography (or anything else illegal), go to www.wiredpatrol.org and you will find links to report it (REPORT CHILD PORN), and a link to our chat room (CHAT NOW) where you can talk to someone.

We are here to help!