Be
aware of what can be found on the Internet about you or
your family. What you discuss in chat rooms, post to journals
or websites, send through email, upload on cam, or say with
text can remain in cyberspace for others to see and abuse.
It can take less than 2 minutes for someone to have your
family name, address, and a map to your house if you only
give out your phone number. You or your family may be victims
of identity theft by information you give on forms, email,
chatrooms, journals, Web pages or other places in cyberspace.
Privacy is valuable and should be protected like your other
valuables.
Don't
jeopardize your computer or other device by downloading
programs, music, files, or games or by using disks that
are not checked for viruses. Always get permission before
you download anything from the Internet onto a machine that
is not one you paid for yourself. Your home computers should
be protected with anti virus software that is updated often.
Other security solutions, such as firewalls, are also good
to use to aid in securing your equipment.
Integrity
and CyberEthics
If
it is wrong or illegal to do in your natural life, it is
also wrong or illegal to do in cyberspace. This includes
uploading or creating computer viruses, electronic vandalism,
cheating with technology, cyberbullying, plagiarism, video
or audio pirating, and copyright violation. Materials online
can be inappropriate (e.g. pornography, racist or hate sites),
dangerous (e.g. bomb designs), or illegal (e.g. child pornography,
stolen credit card numbers). Accessing these sites should
be avoided. In fact, if an illegal site is accessed, you
should leave the computer on but turn off the monitor and
report it to the local authorities, because even having
such information in the computer is illegal. Just as in
the natural world, breaking the law in cyberspace can result
in criminal prosecution such as imprisonment, steep fines,
and loss of computers or other equipment.
Suggestions
1.
Only put persons you actually know on your buddy list. If
you have only met someone online, even if you've chatted
or IM'd the cyberpal for weeks or months, you still do not
know them and they may not be who they say they are. If
they want to meet you in person, but don't want your parent
or an adult to be there when you meet, be suspicious and
do not go meet them alone.
2.
Cyberbullying and cyberharassment are becoming more common.
Sending a threat online or through text is a crime. Report
incidences to the police if they are lifethreating. If you
are a victim of bullying or harassment, speak to an adult
you trust. Some Internet providers and cell phone providers
can block the bully from sending the message or switch your
screen name or phone number. Just be careful about who you
give out your screen name or cell phone number to, and don't
reply to a text message if you don't recognize the name
or number.
3.
Chain letters and "get to know you better" forms
are hoaxes and should just be deleted. If you choose to
forward an email, always cut the text out and put it in
a new email. That way you don't forward other persons' email
addresses in the message. Also, when you email several persons
at one time, email yourself in the "to" box, and
then blind carbon copy everyone else. You can do this in
2 ways: use the BCC when you type in their names or email
addresses, or use the CC and put all of the address information
in parenthesis like this - (John Doe@mail.com; Sally@mail.com).
That way you are not sharing your friends' addresses with
other people.
4.
Protect your privacy and the privacy of your family and
friends. Any information that tells who you are, where you
live, what you do or participate in, your birthdate, social
security number, your school name or your grade...anything
personal...should be protected and not shared. The less
known about you, the better.
5.
Choose a screen name that does not tell about you. Screen
names like "TotalRecall" or "Sp0rtsRfun"
do not reveal the age, sex, location or name of the individual.
Remember, when your screen name appears in a chat room or
on a text message, people may gather personal information
about you if your name shares that or they may judge what
kind of person you are by the sound of your screen name.
You have the advantage with a bland screen name. That is
all other chatters see and the only way they can find out
more personal details is if you tell them.
6.
Do not send a photograph to someone you meet online, post
your picture on a website, profile or live journal, or use
a cam to send video of yourself. Another user can capture
your picture and you can never get it back. You would not
want an old perverted man or woman carrying your picture
in their wallet...would you? . If you post or send your
picture that might just happen!!
7.
Get a life offline. Computers are wonderful and will no
doubt be an important part of your life from now on. But
real time friends and activities are necessary for your
health and well being.
