Everyone can take extra precautions to protect themselves in the internet. One can install free antivirus for computer safety or purchase expensive security programs for optimum internet protection. And then we have the basics.
The basic internet safety precautions can be done by anyone to protect both their computer and family from opportunistic predators online. Here’s how to do it.
Never give away any personal info
This is the golden rule of internet safety – never give out your personal information, unless you’re old enough to do so. Full name, home address, school address, phone number, mobile number, email, etc. should be kept in private to avoid any problems. Though there are legal sites out there that gather info from children, it is always better to be safe than sorry. The COPPA, or Children’s Online Privacy Protection of 1998 states that, it is illegal to collect any personal info for kids under 13 years of age.
Don’t talk to strangers
Again, another basic rule we teach our kids in real life. It is good to remind kids about this when they’re on the internet. This can be easier said than done, as most of the people they find online, especially in social media sites, are strangers.
Some online predators have been known to make fake accounts and pose as mutual friends, friends, classmates, neighbors, or even relatives just to get a hold of your personal info.
Think before you type, or click
Tell your kids that anything they say in chat rooms are monitored by anyone else in that channel. This may sound strange, but there are people out there who actually save logs of messages that they see going back and forth, and they use it to fool other people to think they are someone they are not.
They can use these conversations for their online profile, from screen names, user ID, etc.
Even simple screen names like “roxy1992” will give predators a hint of how old you are. Thus, tell your kids to always be careful and think first before they type in any info and click.