The Internet is a place where new friends can be made. It's easy to chat with someone. But we must be careful and read carefully what is said. After a while, you can tell if someone is lying or is really a friend. You also need to pay attention to the questions that are asked, as many adults pretend to be young and friendly just to lure the unsuspecting into sex traps. Pay attention to the information you provide online.
Steps
Step 1. Know that it is important to be safe, but it is also important to be realistic
While this article explains how to be alert and applies to both children and adults, predators are far rarer than the horrendous stories told and what security software vendors suggest. Many of the people who try to make friends in a chat room are really looking for sincere friendship and are often just children who want to meet others. Approach the use of chat rooms like this:
- Put the danger in perspective by becoming a conscious chat room visitor, not a suspicious and terrified one.
- Recognize the signs of unsafe interaction, so you can protect and enjoy yourself when in the chat room.
- Stay visible. Knowing what to look for can also help alert others and make it obvious when someone in the chat room appears to be at odds with the safe environment other users would like in the chat room.
Part 1 of 3: Identifying prying users and predators
Step 1. Look at the attitudes of people you don't know online
When someone approaches you or starts a conversation, be careful if they try to investigate. If this person starts asking you personal questions, such as where you live or if you are alone at home, then they are not trying to be friends with you, but more likely they are a predator. This person may be trying to get personal information in order to harm you in some way.
- Stay away from those who behave like this.
- Do not answer.
- If the person insists, exit the chat room and turn off the computer; notify your parents, an older sibling, or another trusted person.
Step 2. If someone in the chat starts the conversation by asking you about your age, where you live, your phone number and if your parents work, these questions are a warning sign
Any stranger who pressures you for this personal information is most likely a predator, not someone genuinely looking for a friend.
- Avoid answering or giving true information.
- Make clear statements, like, “Hey, I don't know you. Why do you want to know this personal information? It's disturbing, friend."
Step 3. Allow yourself to hear what others are saying
Imagine that someone starts talking to you and telling you about the school. You can answer without being personal. It makes you laugh and you answer jokingly. Talk about teachers, homework, and movies. This is the beginning of a healthy friendship. Keep up with these types of people, but be on the lookout for warning signs. These are called 'red flags' on the internet. When you perceive a red flag, reply that you feel uncomfortable and ask to change the subject. If you keep getting red flags, leave the conversation.
Step 4. Be especially careful when a stranger tries to be your friend when you are in a "friends only" place
This is a sign of inappropriate interaction; friends should only be those you know well.
Part 2 of 3: Staying Safe
Step 1. Listen to your gut when something doesn't seem normal
Feeling mature and competent enough to deal with strangers is fine. However it could mean denying your intuition, so beware of what your inner instincts perceive as wrong and be on your guard.
Step 2. Do not give out personal information online
The following things shouldn't be shared online with strangers (or in public areas accessible on the internet):
- Your age and your real name
- Your address
- The address and name of your school
- Your location and where you plan to go
- Your workplace address (if you are a teenager; adults can decide for themselves)
- Phone numbers
- Photographs of you, your family, your friends and your pets. Profile photos should be chosen together with your parents if you are under 16.
Step 3. Avoid using photographs
Even if your photograph doesn't show the street name, license plate, or ID number, those showing you (and your friends) can reveal enough information to encourage unwanted attention.
Step 4. Immediately stop talking to a person who proposes to meet you or something similar
Any such event is a potential enticement to get you to tell personal details or to meet in person. The things to immediately suspect are:
- The offer to meet famous people, such as actors or singers
- An assignment as a model / a
- Discounted tickets for a match or event
- Gifts of all kinds, from electronics to make-up
- Offers of cheats, passwords. etc.
- Any request to show yourself naked or in a sexual act; sexual questions; publication of sexual photos
- Easy money offers
- Bullying
- Intimidation, such as saying that a person knows where you live, what your family does, where you go to school, etc.
- Ask to meet in person.
Step 5. Stay in public
Always stay in public chat rooms if there are people you don't know. If someone you don't know suggests going to a private chat room to be able to talk privately, don't accept. In public chat rooms, there are people who witness (and record) everything being shared. They may notice if something is strange. If you are alone in a private chat room with someone else, there is no one to help you.
- Just because it's public doesn't mean you're completely safe. Even if you're in a public chat and someone says something that makes you feel uncomfortable, don't reply. It is best to let this person know that you will not get involved.
- Don't meet someone you know in a chat. If you have to, meet him in a public place and bring some friends. But tell your parents.
- If you plan to meet someone, offer to meet at the police station. If he is who he says he is, he should accept because he has no reason to refuse.
Step 6. Use the power of the block
If someone says or does something disturbing - block it. Do not answer. Read the next section on reporting inappropriate behavior in a chat room.
Part 3 of 3: Report inappropriate behavior in a chat room
Step 1. Keep records
If someone appears to be a predator, copy what they say into a word document so you can report them to the police and a moderator. The more evidence you can provide, the more likely steps will be taken to stop that behavior.
Step 2. If you get a message telling you not to tell your parents about the chat or that relationship, don't reply
Tell an adult immediately. This is a trick to keep you good by allowing him to continue doing this.
Step 3. Report sexual language such as “Do you want to do this?
. Go out and tell someone, the police and your parents immediately.
If the argument ends in sex, leave the chat. It could lead to where you don't want to
Step 4. Report cyber violence on the internet
Cyber-violence is not acceptable either. If someone says something violent to you, leave the conversation and notify a trusted adult, such as the police.
Cyber-violence also includes the person pretending to know everything about you and threatening you and your family, your friends, your pets
Step 5. If someone hurts or makes you uncomfortable, online or offline, always tell someone rather than keep them inside
Talking is not gossiping.
- If someone says “Don't be a spy” when you threaten to say it around, rest assured that saying doesn't mean being a spy. Ignore this attempt to stop you from revealing his negative behavior and say it immediately to an adult or moderator.
- You may be afraid that your parents are limiting your time online. This is not a good reason to avoid saying what happened. I am in a position to make the situation safer, by telling the police, monitoring the site, changing the tools you use, etc. Yes, there is a chance they can change your online habits, but it's about your long-term safety and well-being, so put yourself first and seek help.
Step 6. Know that you are not alone
A lot of kids are being harassed on the internet, but now you know what to do if you are part of that already large group of kids. You are not the only one in this situation, don't be afraid to report predators in the chat room.
Advice
- Note that even though the chat room is only for one gender or one religion, anyone on the internet can pretend to be someone else.
- Remember that what you say in the chat room or in messages is live - you cannot delete it later.
- Don't say anything you don't want to know - this includes your full name, address, phone number, photo or other personal information.
- Never believe what you see in a profile - it could be someone pretending.
- Keep your passwords to yourself. Don't tell anyone, not even your best friend.
- It is better not to trust strangers in chat rooms, be wary and careful. You can be friendly without giving too much confidence.
- Choose a nickname that does not indicate your gender and your name. Use a generic name - a name used by both a boy and a girl in a chat room. For example: skater5528, reader2250, patriot4565.
- Don't be afraid to block or ignore people you know online.
- Use the computer where a parent can see if everything is okay (living room, kitchen, not in your bedroom).
- Chat only in chat rooms where activities are monitored (by moderators and administrators). This ensures that those who create problems will be eliminated.
