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Think Twice Online

Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and other social sites make it easy to express yourself, connect with friends and make new ones, but remember that what you post publicly can be read by anyone viewing your profile, so we suggest you consider the following guidelines when using these sites:

Don't forget that your profiles are public spaces. Don't post anything you wouldn't want the world to know (e.g., your phone number, address, IM screens name, or specific whereabouts).

Avoid posting anything that would make it easy for a stranger to find you, such as where you hang out every day after school.

People aren't always who they say they are. Be careful about adding people you don’t know in the physical world to your friends list.

It's fun to connect with new friends from all over the world, but avoid meeting people in person whom you do not already know in the physical world. If you decide to meet someone you’ve met online, tell your parents first, do it in a public place and bring a trusted adult.

Harassment, hate speech and inappropriate content should be reported. If you feel someone's behavior is inappropriate, react. Talk with a trusted adult, or report it to the authorities.

Don't post anything that would embarrass you later. It's easy to think that only people you know are looking at your page, but the truth is that everyone can see it. Think twice before posting a photo or information you wouldn't want others to see, including potential employers or colleges!

Do not lie about your age.

Don’t get hooked by a phishing scam. Phishing is a method used by fraudsters to try to get your personal information, such as your username and password, by pretending to be a site you trust.

To learn more you can visit these other resources:

OnGuard Online: FTC safety tips

Internet Crime Complaint Center

National Crime Prevention Council