Safety Tips for Teens

Stay Anonymous

Don’t ever tell anyone online your real full name, your parents’ names, home address, school name or location, phone/mobile numbers, social security & credit card numbers, and anything that shows what you look like such as a photo, video or webcam link. If someone asks you for this info, don’t give it to them and report the incident.

Keep your Password to Yourself

Friends don’t ask friends to share passwords. If you give your password to someone they will have access to all of your account information and your inventory items. Not to mention, you’ll be held responsible for anything they do while using your account.

Don’t Respond to Nasty Comments or Actions

If a mean or inappropriate comment or action is directed at you the best thing to do is ignore it and report the incident. You can use the Mute button on a Resident’s profile window to ignore their chat. You can also Ban them from visiting land that you own.

Beware of Online Advice Givers

The best place to seek advice for really serious issues like depression, health problems, trouble at home or at school is a trusted adult offline. Beware of anyone online who claims to be a counselor or therapist wanting to help you with these types of issues. They may not really have your best interests in mind.

If it Sounds too Good to be True it Probably is

Don’t believe anyone online who tells you they are a famous celebrity. You may really want it to be true, but it’s best to be skeptical of these claims, especially if they ask for your password or for personal information. The same goes for anyone who tells you they are a modeling agent, music agent, or movie agent in real life.

- Think about how different sites work before deciding to join a site. Some sites will allow only a defined community of users to access posted content; others allow anyone and everyone to view postings.
- Think about keeping some control over the information you post. Consider restricting access to your page to a select group of people, for example, your friends from school, your club, your team, your community groups, or your family.
- Keep your information to yourself. Don't post your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number, or bank and credit card account numbers — and don't post other people's information either. Be cautious about posting information that could be used to identify you or locate you offline. This could include the name of your school, sports team, clubs, and where you work or hang out.

- Make sure your screen name doesn't say too much about you. Don't use your name, your age, or your hometown. Even if you think your screen name makes you anonymous, it doesn't take a genius to combine clues to figure out who you are and where you can be found.
- Post only information that you are comfortable with others seeing — and knowing — about you. Many people can see your page, including your parents, your teachers, the police, the college you might want to apply to next year, or the job you might want to apply for in five years.
- Remember that once you post information online, you can't take it back. Even if you delete the information from a site, older versions exist on other people's computers.
- Consider not posting your photo. It can be altered and broadcast in ways you may not be happy about. If you do post one, ask yourself whether it's one your mom would display in the living room.
- Flirting with strangers online could have serious consequences. Because some people lie about who they really are, you never really know who you're dealing with.
- Be wary if a new online friend wants to meet you in person. Before you decide to meet someone, do your research: Ask whether any of your friends know the person, and see what background you can dig up through online search engines. If you decide to meet them, be smart about it: Meet in a public place, during the day, with friends you trust. Tell an adult or a responsible sibling where you're going, and when you expect to be back.
- Trust your gut if you have suspicions. If you feel threatened by someone or uncomfortable because of something online, tell an adult you trust and report it to the police and the social networking site. You could end up preventing someone else from becoming a victim.

Be your own person. Don't let friends or strangers pressure you to be someone you aren't. And know your limits. You may be Net-savvy, but people and relationships change, and unexpected stuff can happen on the Internet.

Be nice online. Or at least treat people the way you'd want to be treated. People who are nasty and aggressive online are at greater risk of being bullied or harassed themselves. It's a vicious cycle you really don't want to get into.

Think about what you post. Sharing provocative photos or intimate details online, even in private emails, can cause you problems later on. Even people you consider friends can use this info against you, especially if they become ex-friends.

Read between the "lines." It may be fun to check out new people for friendship or romance, but be aware that, while some people are nice, others act nice because they are trying to get something. Flattering or supportive messages may be more about manipulation than friendship or romance.

Don't talk about sex with strangers. Be cautious when communicating with people you don't know in person, especially if the conversation starts to be about sex or physical details. Don't lead them on - you don't want to be the target of a predator's grooming. If they persist, call your local police or contact CyberTipline.com.

Avoid in-person meetings. The only way someone can physically harm you is if you're both in the same location, so - to be 100% safe - don't meet them in person. If you really have to get together with someone you "met" online, don't go alone. Have the meeting in a public place, tell a parent or some other solid backup, and bring some friends along.

Be smart when using a cell phone. All the same tips apply with phones as with computers. Except phones are with you wherever you are, often away from home and your usual support systems. Be careful who you give your number to and how you use GPS and other technologies that can pinpoint your physical location.

Remember the only way to stop crime is to get involved in crime prevention

If you have questions regarding personal safety training please contact us at:

FLYING KICK MARTIAL ARTS & FITNESS
Attitude For Survival
19643 Parthenia St.
Northridge, CA 91324
818-349-5425
info@flyingkickla.com

STAY SAFE !