Tips for staying safe on line!

I think with everything in the recent news today now is a great time to remind everyone how important it is to stay safe on line. I know many of you think our rules are too strict or silly about information we allow and don't allow to post here. A very common response is it's my choice, if I want to give out personal information why can't I do it? Hopefully this will help remind everyone how to stay safe and why these rules are so important!

Never give out personal information. This includes first and last names, age, location, email address, instant messenger name. Don't say where you go to school, telling someone something as simple as who or what your team mascot is can lead them to you. Remember con men, or on line predators are smart, they know how to gather information about you. In one area you may post the City you live in and then in another tell someone your team mascot. Someone with bad intentions can easily put all of the little bits of information you give out and easily figure out where you go to school or where you live.

Did you know sharing an email address and exchanging emails can also lead people to your location? I'm by no means someone with broad technical knowledge. I can however get your IP (Internet Provider Address) from your email. Often times that IP will tell me what City and State you are located in.

If you post links to photo sharing sites make sure they are set to private. That is a great Harry Potter picture you just posted but by having an open account I can also view every other picture you have on there. Don't ever share personal pictures on line with strangers!

Never trust people at their word. I could say I'm a 15 year old boy, show pictures, sound just like one yet I'm an adult female. Again con men and predators are very good at what they do. Most people are honest yet it's not a risk worth taking considering how steep of a price you could pay.

We have a wide age group on this site. Yes some of you are adults and over 18. We have no way to verify that however. As an adult you have a responsibility to set the tone and set a good example. You as an adult do not know if the person you are talking to is a minor, kids will lie too and say they are older then they are.

If you see someone sharing too much information or behaving in a way that is unsafe please notify a moderator, use the report post button. Many times people just don't think about what they are sharing and how unsafe it can be.

Hopefully this helps explain why we have some of the rules in place that we do. If you have any questions let me know.

Maxx