The internet is a great thing. You are able to chat with friends on Facebook, play online games like Moshi Monsters, use game consoles online like Xbox, Wii or DS to connect with others. Mobile phones let you text, talk and share photos.
However you need to keep yourself safe when using these things to talk to people. Anyone can put anything on the internet and pretend to be someone else. On social networking sites there are always people who pretend to be someone that they are not and they are dangerous. They may try to contact you by pretending to be your age or saying that they know one of your friends. They may try to trick you into sending photos or telling them things about yourself that are private.
If you are talking on the internet to someone who you have never actually met in person don't give out your full name, school, address or mobile phone number.
Be S.M.A.R.T.
- Safe
Keep safe by being careful not to give out personal info including full name and e-mail address to people you don't really know - Meeting
Meeting up with someone who you have only met on line can be dangerous. Only do so with your parents/carers permission and even then only when they can be present - Accepting
Accepting e-mails, IM messages or opening files from people you don't know can be dangerous - they may contain viruses or nasty messages - Reliable
Someone on line may be lying about who they are and information they provide on the internet may not be true. Check information and advice on other websites or in books or ask someone who may know - Tell
Tell your parent/carer or teacher if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried or you or someone you know is being cyberbullied.