SURF SAFER

According to CyberTipLine.com, 1 in 5 kids online is sexually solicited.

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Contributed by Amanda Bach

The most important thing to remember is that when you’re online in any kind of a public forum, anyone can read what you post. You should also remember that people you first “meet” online may not be who they seem to be.

Keep your identity private

If you’re communicating online, avoid giving out your full name, your mailing address, your telephone number, the name of your school, or any other information that may help someone determine your actual identity. The same goes for your family and friends. Never reveal anything about other people that may possibly get them into trouble.

Do not meet in person

It is dangerous to get together with someone you first “meet” online. Remember, you never know if people you first “meet” online are who they say they are. If you want to meet with someone, discuss it with your parents or guardians first, and never go to the meeting by yourself. Arrange to meet in a public place like a coffee shop or mall you are comfortable with. Have your parents or guardians talk with the parents or guardians of the other person. Both of you should bring your parents or guardians along on the first meeting.

Respond wisely

It isn’t your fault if you get a message that makes you feel that way. If you get a message like that, don’t respond. Instead, show it to your parents, guardians, or another trusted adult and report the incident to your Internet service provider. Sending a response just encourages the person.

Talk to your parents or guardians

Regardless of whether your parents or guardians are Internet novices or technology gurus, there may be things you know about the Internet that they don’t. This is a great opportunity for you to show them what you do online and, maybe even, help them get more out of the Internet themselves.

Sources: from Know the Rules...General Parental Tips to Help Keep Your Children Safer. Copyright© 2000 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children(NCMEC). All rights reserved.

Contributor - Amanda Bach is co-founder and co-creator of SingleMom.com. The co-creator currently resides in California and Washington, DC. She was raised by a single mom and so she learned it first hand how difficult it was to watch her mom struggled everyday life. And that is the main reason she co-founded SingleMom.com to create this wonderful Website/organization. Her energy, natural creative ability and superior business intuition make her contributions to this website immeasurable. As you know, lots of tough decisions are made as a parent, let alone as a single parent. Her hobbies include volunteer, Internet, reading, ballet, traveling, snowboarding, and especially wine & food.