Internet Safety

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. There are lots of ways to protect yourself from being exploited on the internet.  Teenagers use the internet to keep in touch with friends, meet new friends, post pictures & videos, and share common experiences with family & your friends…and whether you know it or not, sometimes strangers. Networking websites and blogs, like MySpace and Facebook, online aren’t always as private as you and your friends may think it is…it’s easy these days for someone to ruin your reputation, anonymously spread rumors about you and your friends, and also find out secretive information about your life online. If you have personal information online that you wouldn’t give out to a stranger in person, be very careful, because it may be accessible by more people  that you’re bargaining for.
Here are some tips for being smart and safe while you’re on the computer, and also some ways to make sure that your private live if kept private.  The following tips were found on connectsafely.org:

Be your own person. Don’t let friends or strangers pressure you to be someone you aren’t. And know your limits. You may be Net-savvy, but people and relationships change, and unexpected stuff can happen on the Internet.
Be nice online. Or at least treat people the way you’d want to be treated. People who are nasty and aggressive online are at greater risk of being bullied or harassed themselves. It’s a vicious cycle you really don’t want to get into.
Think about what you post. Sharing provocative photos or intimate details online, even in private emails, can cause you problems later on. Even people you consider friends can use this info against you, especially if they become ex-friends.
Read between the “lines.” It may be fun to check out new people for friendship or romance, but be aware that, while some people are nice, others act nice because they’re trying to get something. Flattering or supportive messages may be more about manipulation than friendship or romance.
Don’t talk about sex with strangers. Be cautious when communicating with people you don’t know in person, especially if the conversation starts to be about sex or physical details. Don’t lead them on - you don’t want to be the target of a predator’s grooming. If they persist, call your local police or contact CyberTipline.com.
Avoid in-person meetings. The only way someone can physically harm you is if you’re both in the same location, so – to be 100% safe – don’t meet them in person. If you really have to get together with someone you “met” online, don’t go alone. Have the meeting in a public place, tell a parent or some other solid backup, and bring some friends along.
Be smart when using a cell phone. All the same tips apply with phones as with computers. Except phones are with you wherever you are, often away from home and your usual support systems. Be careful who you give your number to and how you use GPS and other technologies that can pinpoint your physical location.

For more information about internet safety and personal security online, feel free to check out the following resources:
For a way to learn more about internet safety and ways to protect yourself, check this out: http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=3078
For tips on ways to stay more private about your online social life, take a few minutes to read these suggestions: http://www.safeteens.com/safe-blogging-tips-for-teens/
And some additional information on smart wed surfing, read this and share it with your friends, too: http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/internet_safety.html