~What is: Dangerous?~
What is Dangerous when you are online? Why are these things dangerous? Just like your parents tell you not to touch the stove or you'll get burned, you also should be aware of certain dangers online to protect you from viruses, scams, and worse.
Dangerous: chatrooms where you are talking to complete strangers.
- Why? The reason why chatrooms are dangerous is because you never know just who you are conversing with. Even if you think you know them, they are masked and you could be talking to a predator. After all, you would never talk to a stranger on the streets. Why should you talk to them on the computer where you may get into serious trouble.
Solution: Instead of talking to people in chatrooms where the conversation can suddenly turn rotten, only talk to friends you know and trust in real life. Use your email or Instant Messenger to talk to them. If they start saying weird things, then you can at least call your friend on the telephone and ask them if it's them talking suspiciously. If they say no, then your friend should know that someone has hacked into their email or IM account and they should contact a professional as soon as possible to get the situation fixed. If you can't live without chatting, then be cautious to know when to "X" before it's too late.
Dangerous: going to unprotected site where viruses lurk
- Why? The reason is quite simple: viruses can harm and even destroy your computer. You must avoid them at all costs. If you go to a site and your virus protection detects something is askew, do not dismiss it. It could be a serious issue, so always make sure you resolve it as soon as possible. And, then for the future, don't go back to the supposed site that gave your computer (or almost gave your computer) a virus.
Solution: Know the sites you are visiting before you go there. If a site asks for a log in ID and a password, make sure there is little lock in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen and the url bar is highlighted yellow. This means that the site is secured. Any information transferred to and from this site is protected. Just make sure you know where you are going, what you are doing, and what you can expect. You will avoid a world of problems if you do that.
Dangerous: going to sites where predators may lurk.
- Why? I know some kids may not think that predators are out there on the web, but they are. They can not only steal your information, your files, and your pride, but they can also steal your innocence. Predators are everywhere, but they have a great advantage online: they can hide in the shadows. Sometimes you don't who is a friend and foe until it's too late.
Solution: Avoid sites where anyone can just set up an account and start sending you stuff. Yes, this includes the famed MySpace, Facebook, etc. They can be really fun and tools for good, but they can also be a haven for the filthy people that want to use you like a towel. They will befriend you and get you to tell them things, maybe even keep a friendship going for some time until they one day ask to met in person or ask a deeply personal question--a question that may be just the key to allow them access into your home, your computer, or your life. Lock the door to them by avoiding making friends with people you don't know. If it does happen that you already have a few friends online that you've never met in real life--ones that seem safe enough and harmless--always have your parents (an adult or witness of some kind) know about them and what they talk about online. An adult may realize a threat before you do. And, if the person says something that you find suspicious, tell someone right away, so that you have strength in numbers.
Dangerous: giving out personal information.
- Why? This is a terrible idea because in the world of electronics and the Internet, hackers can steal any information you divulge and use it against you. They can gather information until they have enough and get into your life, in places where they shouldn't be. Not only that, when you tell personal things to people online where it is public, people with piqued curiosity will often want to know more and ask more questions. This isn't their fault sometimes because it's often human nature to want to know more. However, even if they don't have bad motives, who's to say that Joe Smoe who looking at same page that you doesn't? Remember, the Internet is public. ANYONE can see what you write, so be careful. Also, remember that if you are talking about personal issues, like your feelings and your family, you may want your parents to know. You might find that they don't want you to air your dirty laundry out in the front yard.
Solution: Don't give out personal information. Not in a chat, not on a blog, not in an online community. Don't tell people that you don't know, or even people that you do know, personal stuff about you and your life over the computer. If you want to tell something personal to a close confidant, why can't you send a letter or talk on the phone? Or what if you just really really wanted to vent? Maybe you just wanted to vent on your blog about personal stuff, intending to delete it later? Well, there is really no reason you can't vent to yourself in a journal. Actually, it's a great idea to have a journal to talk about your personal feelings. No one is burdened and it's not in danger of being seen by prying eyes. But, if you really need to, emailing someone you know very well and telling them your feelings is also suitable. Just make sure that whatever you say in your email (which can be hacked at any time) can't be used against you later.
Dangerous: having private chats with people you don't know.
- Why? Along with having chats in chatrooms (in general) is also the danger of having a private chat with a person you don't know, or one you recently met. Why? They can at any time begin showing you terrible images or talking lewd and provocative because they feel free to let their true colours out once they have you by yourself. But, even if they don't do something bad right away, they may get you talking long enough to learn about you and then try to or plan to harm you in some way. Private chats are altogether a bad idea.
Solution: Don't accept the invitation to let someone chat with your privately. If you can't get out of it with an excuse, try just saying that you are busy have have to get off the computer right this second. Log out immediately. If you didn't realize it and accepted to have a private chat, then excuse yourself and leave. If they taunt you and tell you to stay, get an adult and ask them what to do. Be honest with the adult. Did you purposely accept the invitation to a private chat, or did it happen accidentally? Adults will be glad to help. Maybe even being able to respond to the person by saying who they are and that they need you to get off the computer now. There is no reason to get angry or harsh. The person maybe wasn't thinking ill in asking you to a private chat. But, always be assertive and stand your ground saying that you don't think private chatting is a good idea.
Dangerous: revealing your age/sex/location to people you don't know.
- Why? Once someone locks in on your age/sex/location (commonly referred to as A/S/L), they can begin digging up other pieces of information about you. They can try (and may succeed) to unlock passwords, open accounts, and find out more about you until they are right at your front door. This has happened to many other young kids, and even many adults. Don't think that you are special and that you can't be a victim, too. When someone who has a bad motive knows your a/s/l, it's a very serious thing and they can and probably will use it against you to harm you.
Solution: Don't give this information out. Don't write it in your blog, don't write it on your site, and don't make a big deal about it. If it slips and you happen to mention, "I was born in 1993," then okay. But, really try to avoid it because those 3 little pieces of information will patch together a larger jigsaw puzzle for people interested in knowing how vulnerable you are or how to attack you. If they know your weak spots, don't think they won't try and get you. Your exact age is private. No one should ask and if they do, tell them you don't want to give your age out. Be firm, telling them that it's for your own safety. Your gender usually will show through right away if you have a personal site. The pink flowered background will often give away the fact that you are a girl. Or the black Metallica background might make people think you are a guy. (not that this is always true, but people can usual tell the difference between the way a guy talks and the way a girl talks.) So... no biggie, right? Everyone can tell your gender, but if they also know your location--your exact or your general location--they can begin searching for you. And, worse, they may even find you. So, if at all possible, avoid leaving hints and traces about your age, your sex, and your location on your website or blog. It's for the best that somethings remain just a little anonymous.
Dangerous: arranging to meet people you've never met before.
- Why? Because even if you think you know them well from what you've talked about with them on the computer, you might find they are very different in real life. They can be dangerous in many ways and may even have a criminal record. You just never know. If you meet someone, especially by yourself, you are practically saying that you are theirs to take. Most likely, no matter how strong you think you are, if the other person is bad, they can overpower you and may force you to compromise your values. Predators will often ask to meet with you alone in a private location, or at an hour of the day where there aren't too many witnesses. If a person suggests this to you, be smart, and remember the reason why it's not a good idea to arrange to meet with people that you don't know.
Solution: Don't get yourself in a situation where someone might ask that in the first place. Decline invitations to meet and never tell them where you are located. Don't be naive and don't be so trusting of everyone. If a person is persistent in trying to meet you, it's best to tell your parents and see what they say. I strongly disagree with meeting someone you don't know, but if your parents say that you can make sure it's in a public place and that you have your parents with you at all times. If the person seems suspicious, report it to the police immediately. They could be a sexual offender that was trying to harm you, but held off because you weren't alone. This is a serious thing; it's not a laughing matter because people everyday disappear because of meeting someone they don't know. It's a foolish thing to do alone.
Dangerous: browsing without your parents' consent.
- Why? Parents look out for their children's best interest. While they are older and much more experienced in life than children are, they may also not be so technologically advanced. This is why they may not understand what you do online. You can teach them, though. Once your parents understand what the computer is all about and are fully educated, then let them make limits and rules for you. Rules are there to protect you. Let them know where you go because if you browse without their consent, they may get upset and you may get into trouble. When your parents know where you go and you have their consent, it'll save your pride when you run into a problem. They'll know just how to fix it because they weren't in the dark about what you do in the first place. And, if your parents know what you are doing, it'll prevent your parents from being shocked if your friend's parents goes to the trouble of talking to your parents about what you and their kid do online. Even if it's not something bad, your parents don't want to be ignorant of your life.
Solution: Have your parents know what you do online. Just like you come home from school and show off your homework, you should show off the things you do on the computer. Maybe you have a website that you worked really hard on. If your parents know and are okay with it, then you might actually find that they will support you in all the hard work you do. But, don't be surprised if they don't approve of everything. If you came home with a bad grade in school, they'd be disappointed. The same is true of what you do and where you browse online. If you do or go somewhere they don't approve of, they might get upset. So, it's best to go over the rules of the computer with them before you even log in. Know where they don't want you to go and what they don't want you to say. This will make things less messy in the long run and preserve the unity of the family.
Dangerous: browsing without virus protection.
- Why? Because viruses are out there, armed and ready to attack your computer. They come in and steal information, delete important files, corrupt hardware, add programs that deteriorate your computer, and sometimes destroy everything on your computer. They aren't designed to be nice, and that's why you need to fight against them with virus protection. Without virus protection programs, you can easily get a virus, a tracking cookie, or a trojan horse that will pack a nasty punch to your PC.
Solution: Simple: Get virus protection software on your computer. Shop around for the best virus protection and make sure it's turned on. See Virus Prevention also.
Dangerous: starting fights online.
- Why? Why is this dangerous? Things can get hostile, tension can mount and people can say and do stupid things that they or you will later regret. If you start a fight, people will have an altered conception of you, think you are mean and nasty and controversial. You won't make friends this way in real life and you won't get people to continue visiting your site if you do this. If you are on someone else's site and you start a fight, you could get kicked out or yelled at severely. After all, who are you to come and start a fight on someone else's site? It's like going to a park and picking a fight with someone there. It makes a big uproar and disturbs other people there. More than that, you could be considered disturbing the peace and get arrested. Same is true of starting (or fueling) a fight online. It's not fair to everyone else and it gives a poor image of you. And, last thing you want is the other person (or people) to seek revenge through other means (spamming, hacking, flaming, etc.) , right?
Solution: Simple: Don't start fights by leaving before you are provoked. If someone picks a fight with you, just walk away and leave it alone. If you realize you started a fight without meaning to, quickly and sincerely apologize and speak with reasoning words that don't make people angry. Say that you are sorry you started a fight and you didn't mean to. Be honest and tactful. If this doesn't work and they really want to keep fighting, just walk away. You tried.
Dangerous: stealing from other people and sites.
- Why? This is not only dangerous, it is unethical and down-right wrong. People spend a lot of time pouring themselves into their sites or something they worked on (a picture, a layout, a story) and it is unfair and deceitful to just take it without asking. Sometimes you really need something--maybe you can't make it yourself--and you see just what you were looking for on someone's site. Don't jump up and down and say BINGO! Don't copy it to your computer. Once the person finds out, they'll be upset. People will get hostile towards you. Maybe you thought it was harmless, but it isn't. Stealing is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. And, if someone has posted on their site "Copyrighted to Me. No Stealing." they mean it. Sometimes they'll be glad to help you, but they won't be happy if you take without asking or steal something, alter it, and say you created it. You could get yourself in a world of pain by stealing. Once you are caught, there will be terrible repercussions.
Solution: Simple: Don't steal. If you need something really bad, ask the person who made it if you can use it. If they say no, accept it. Don't ignore what they said and steal anyway. And, with all the help guides online and people that will offer assistance to people that need it, why do you need to steal? Ask around if someone can help you with whatever it is you need. If you need graphics or a layout, most webmasters will be happy to assist. If you are just stealing for the thrill of it, however, you need to stop and get help. Stealing is not right and your conscious should tell you.
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