Hey, guys!
I know this is going to be somewhat old-hat, but it's important to review internet safety guidelines and tips. You're ultimately the one responsible for how safe you are on the internet (wow, really, Sam?). So, here are a few things to remember:
- Make your blogs YWS-users only. (Or, for extra safety, make your blog so that only your friends may see it. -Grif)
- When you're posting on the public forums, never give out your city. It's easy for people to track you down, especially if you live in a smaller town or village. (That includes not saying what country you're really from in your profile. - Adam)
- Never give your address, phone number or last name out on the public boards. If you give it out to specific users, this is your choice, but also your liability. Be careful with whom you divulge this information. (Also, only give out your Facebook, Twitter, or other online profiles to people you trust tremendously. These profiles contain most, if not all, of the items listed here. -Rosey)
- If someone from the site adds you to AIM, MSN, Yahoo! or any other IM service, don't hesitate to block them if you feel uncomfortable. (Also, you don't have to put your actual IM e-mail on your profile. Just put it "Please PM me for it" instead of an actual e-mail. -Rosey)
- Don't give out private information about other people. It's their information, their choice.
- Don't hesitate to report someone to a moderator if they're pressuring you for personal information.
(Grif)
- Never post pictures online which my give any hint of your identity or location. Once, I decided to see if I could track down a YWS member by looking at a picture, just for kicks. I noticed a school sweatshirt and just like that I had information about their hometown, the school they went to, and what they look like. All this is just from looking at a picture and a few seconds on Google. If you have posted a picture that reveals information like this, or you see a picture that reveals information like this, just contact a mod and we will delete it.
- As a general rule of thumb, you should ask yourself "If I were a child molester and I wanted to get me, what would I do?" Disturbing as this line of thought is, it can help you analyze your own security measures.
- If any member asks you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, report it to a YWS staff member Immediately! Trust your instincts, we will investigate further.
(JMs 2010)
- If you "like" YWS on facebook, it is possible other people outside of YWS will be able to have access to your profile. People might take advantage of this and claim they're from YWS just to be on your friends list. Only add people on facebook if you're comfortable and know who they are. As said above, your facebook contains enough information to track you down. Keep it private.
- Do not meet a YWSer just because you find out they're in your city, or near by. Only meet with them if you have talked on the phone/video chatted and your parents know about it. If you trust the member, your parents know, and everything pans out, take precautions. Set a time, meet in a public place, with friends/your parents, and have a cell-phone handy. Both parties should have friends and a cell-phone, and both should have parental permission.
[MODS: Feel free to add more tips as you see fit.]
[MEMBERS: If you think something here is missing, PM a mod and we'll add it in]
