Safe Surfing Guidelines
Gwent Police Cybercrime Unit & NSPCC Safe Surfing & Chatting guide for Children and Young Persons
What is most important to remember?
Make sure a parent, teacher or guardian knows when you're surfing the net.
If you're asked for a screen name to use in a chat room use a nickname - never your real name.
If you get an e-mail with rude or unpleasant things, you MUST tell a responsible adult straight away and DON'T reply to it!
Staying safe in chat rooms
If you're in a chat room and you start feeling uncomfortable about what someone's saying, get out of there and tell an adult.
People may not be who they say they are.
If you get an e-mail telling you not to tell your parents about it, don't reply and tell an adult straight away.
Is e-mail safe?
Don't open e-mails, downloads or attachments from people who don't know: they might have virus' or unwanted messages inside.
What info can't I give out?
-
Unless you have an adult's permission never give out:
-
Your real name
-
Your home, school or e-mail address
-
Your phone number
-
A photo of yourself
-
Your parent's credit card details
Can I meet webpals in person?
Never ever meet anyone you've met over the internet without a parent's/guardian's permission and even then make sure you have an adult with you.
What if I'm asked to register?
If a website askes you to register with them and you have to fill out an e-mail form, always ask for an adult's opinion.
Very often, the website is just trying to sell you something.
Do passwords keep you safe?
Only if you keep them completely secret. Don't even tell your best friend.
And try not to use names of your family or pets because people can guess them quite easily.
Use a mix of letters and numbers instead.
Can I block unwanted e-mail?
Spam, or unwanted e-mails, makes up half of all e-mails sent around the world. They are usually meant for adults and can be upsetting for children.
But you don't have to accept it or put up with them.
There is special software which can stop spam getting into your inbox.
Speak to your parents about the software if you are at all worried.
Most internet and e-mail companies, like yahoo and aol, have some sort of system in place to block spam, and they are working to get better systems all the time.
If you need any more information about what they can do, e-mail them for help.
What is private chat?
This is using part of a chat room where other people can't see what you're saying.
Never agree to a private chat with someone unless you already know them face-to-face, in real life.
Instant Messaging
You can also have private chats on "instant messaging".
Instant messaging - sometimes shortened to IM - is a computer program that allows you to send messages that other users receive straight away.
It is best only to do this with people you already know in real life.
If you get to a chat room through instant messaging, remember to follow the same safety rules you would use if you were chatting anywhere else.
Useful websites
Internet Watch Foundation
http://www.iwf.org.uk/|
BBC Q+A Keeping Safe on the Net
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2538491.stm|
CBBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/help/safesurfing/index.shtml|
NSPCC
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/html/home/needadvice/needadvice.htm|
You can also contact Hayden Minton of the NSPCC on 029 2044 5220