What are some safety tips for a teenager on MySpace?
How can teenagers be safe but enjoy it?
2006-06-20 17:02:40 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
stay as far away as you can. myspace is a haven for child abusers and pedophiles
2006-06-20 17:06:28 · answer #1 · answered by Comfortably Numb™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NEVER give out your home address or phone number. Unless you met the person IN person you should never give out that information until you meet the person IN person and know that they are okay and not some sicko freak that wants to do bad things to you.
In your profile - only list your state or don't list any physical location at all - and don't mention your last name or the names of your parents or other relatives. It's okay to refer to someone by their first name like, "my aunt so-and-so", but never give out specifics. And if someone is asking you for such specific information or asking for your home address and phone number - BIG RED FLAG.
On that note - do not list what schools you attend or where you work or anything else that will expose your physical location. Be smart about what you write in your blog too. Simply mentioning that you're going to the Green Day concert on such and such date will give someone all the information they need to find you if they want to go to the trouble of finding out where the event is - especially if the event is in your home city or near your home city. It's not even a good idea if the event is away from home and 200 miles away -they will still know where to find you.
If you really like a person and want to meet in face-to-face do it in a public place with lots of people and bring a friend or two or three or four or five.. you get my drift. Not only will you not be alone, but you will have people you trust around you and they will be able to help you decide whether the person you know from MySpace is someone you should be hanging out with or not. If you're cool with it - bring your parents. Anyone that is interested in knowing you in person and wants to hang out with you on a regular basis should have no problem meeting your parents - and they will definitely want to meet the person anyway. As a bonus, you will earn points with your parents for being so responsible.
And finally if a person you are chatting with from MySpace make you feel uncomfortable, asks too many personal and/or inappropriate questions you should probably break contact with them.
Those are all the tips I can think of right now. If I think of more I will add them.
Not everyone on the Internet is out to get you. There are plenty of people using the net that are just like you and just want to have fun and meet interesing people and make new friends. Just be safe.
Added: Be careful with what pictures you post too - that was a good one. You don't want to accidently expose your location.
2006-06-20 17:25:52 · answer #2 · answered by ♥Melissa♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Don't meet ANYONE in person you don't already know. Make new friends and contacts through friends you do know. There is no way to tell if someone is making their information up.
2. Don't give anyone your phone number, address or where you go to school.
3. Don't let anyone sweet-talk you into anything. There are pervy men online who like to mess with young girls. They'll try anything to get you to meet with them. Be cautious about older men who want to be a "father figure."
4. Be careful what pictures you put up. Don't put up any pictures that show your school, car, licensce plate number, etc. You wouldn't think it, but that's how internet predators get information about you.
5. Do enjoy chatting with your friends and joining groups. Just be cautious. It is a good way for people to keep in touch with one another and express themselves. Unfortunately a few rotten apples have to ruin the tree.
6. Make your MySpace "Friends Only." This is a big plus!
I don't mean to sound like such a fuddy-duddy. I just want you and other teens to be safe.
2006-06-20 17:13:25 · answer #3 · answered by Boo_Radley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't let everyone read your blogs. Only friends...as in friends from school. If someone wants to meet you tell them only if your mom can come. If you post photographs up make sure it doesn't tell what high school you go to. Just use common sense. I have my page set up that tells what high school I went to and a business I own but really, if you are just careful about who you talk to, MySpace is safe. The same pedophiles on there can easily find you by parking outside the school. You can view my page if you want to see what I have on there. You wouldn't get into a car with a guy at the supermarket so don't do it with someone off the internet.
2006-06-20 17:07:23 · answer #4 · answered by optimistic_dr3am3r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't go on myspace. Thats the biggest safety tip.
2006-06-20 17:06:49 · answer #5 · answered by mikeae 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't give out any personal informations such as address, phone number, ect...unless you personally know the person. Other than that, Myspace is completely safe!
2006-06-20 17:06:16 · answer #6 · answered by dianas_lotus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your under 18, make it private. Otherwise just play it safe with basic stuff. No Last name, address, numbers, or even email.
2006-06-20 17:07:38 · answer #7 · answered by Josh The Computer Kid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't give your address or phone number. It won't ask you for it, but sometimes teens do things without thinking and put it anyway.
2006-06-20 17:06:11 · answer #8 · answered by Brandon R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't give out any info about yourself that can be used to track you down or is readily identifiable to you.
2006-06-20 17:06:26 · answer #9 · answered by sphere_68 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont give out personal info such as phone, address or your real name, even if the person says they live near you or something.
2006-06-20 17:11:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋