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Internet Safety
Common safety precautions include fastening your seatbelt when you enter a vehicle, looking both ways before you cross a street, or wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle. You don't really have to think about these actions because they have become habits. Developing good online habits is just as important.
You should always be careful with your personal and financial information. Some criminals steal social security numbers, account logins, credit card numbers,and banking information. These thieves might use your information to buy items online, open a credit card account, or use your email to send viruses to your friends and family.
Online predators are another threat you should be aware of. Once they gain your trust they often want you to send inappropriate images or meet in person. Don't allow yourself up to become a target with careless behavior.
Follow these online safety rules:
- Never give out information that will easily identify you or your location.
- Don't believe everything you read online. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Downloaded files from unknown sources could have inappropriate files attached.
- Be choosy in the pictures you upload.
- Never arrange an in-person meeting with someone you 'meet' online.
- If you receive emails, messages, or comments on photos that threaten or frighten you, tell someone immediately.
- Use secure passwords and update them on a regular basis.
Read The Dangers of Facebook Oversharing to learn about the dangers of sharing too much online.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a real and everyday occurrence. Although bullying and intimidating behavior is nothing new, it has reached a new level through social networking. In recent years, the amount of information posted daily, the number of available platforms, and the type of personal content shared have expanded exponentially. Remember that nothing you post or share online is truly private. For example, you may have your account set to allow only your friends to view your posts or pictures. What would happen if your friend got mad at you and took a screenshot of your private pictures or an inappropriate post you made and shared it with others? This could be extremely embarrassing for you and your family. The fact that this type of information can be accessed so readily throughout the world should make you pause and consider your digital presence.
Cyberbullying can take many forms including:
- cyberstalking – sending too many, unwelcome messages
- harassment – sending threatening and insulting messages
- flaming – using vulgar and hostile language intended to start a fight – real or virtual
- website creation – creating a website with the sole purpose to bully a person
- impersonation – pretending to be someone else
- images – humiliation through posting embarrassing pictures
Read these real life examples of bullying:
- David Molak from Puresight
- Hannah Smith from Puresight
- Cyberbullying Tragedy: New Jersey Family to Sue After 12-Year-Old Daughter's Suicide from NEWS
- Lucie's Cyberbullying Story from The Cybersmile Foundation
Cyberbullying often targets tweens and teens that are not emotionally equipped to handle it. Spreading rumors online, posting threatening messages, texting insults, and sharing embarrassing information or pictures of someone are just a few examples of cyberbullying. It's easy to become a victim because social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter are so frequently used by today’s youth. The Internet is often used as a faceless shield, enabling children and adults to post things that they would not say in person.
Students should note that Alabama teens engaging in cyberbullying might face criminal charges, including up to one year in jail. A teen may also be sued in court for monetary damages.
It is so important to reach out for help if you are experiencing this kind of harassment or torment. Tell someone. Inform your parents or guardians. There are school counselors, teachers, community youth directors, coaches, law enforcement and various social agencies that will gladly step in and assist you in combating this type of abuse.