(from spunout.ie)
- Don’t trust! Even if an online friend sounds more convincing than your own mother.
- Be very wary of people who seem desperate to meet you or torture you for your phone number.
- Use a nickname or just your first name when chatting online.
- Never give out personal details online like your surname, phone number or where you live.
- Don’t tell people where you go to school. If someone constantly asks for personal details, ignore them.
- Don’t send photos of yourself, friends or family.
- When someone asks where you’re from only tell... them the region (saying Leinster instead of Dublin, or Dublin instead of Clondalkin/Lucan).
- Try not to give out your email address too often. You can end up with lots of junk mail or people harassing you.
- If you want to talk to an online friend again, arrange to meet them at another time in the chat room.
- If you’re sure you want to meet an online friend then BE CAREFUL. Always tell someone where you’re going and arrange to meet them in a public place. Ask a parent or trusted adult or friend to come with you for the first meeting.
If you think you know it all, and there's nothing else for you to learn about staying safe online, then don't click on http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
Another Irish organisation, Sticks and Stones, also has some wise words for us all. The advice is like the above advice; but maybe you can find something new not above.
Do your parents know much about how to help you stay safe online? Tell them there's lots of great tips and videos for them on webwise.ie