Instant Messaging Safety for Kids
Instant Messaging Resource Center for Concerned Kids and Parents
Providing help and support for users of the world's most popular IM clients: MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, Trillian...
Chat Safe Online supports the responsible use of Instant Messenger and Internet chat services
Welcome to the world of secure Instant Messaging!
IM Security
If you’re a kid between the ages of 10 and 17, chances are you think you’re pretty clued up when it comes to Instant Messaging.
After all, IM is your thing! Fast, free and fun, it’s your favorite tool of communication and one of your favorite ways to spend free time.
All around the world, more and more kids are using Messenger programs to gossip with friends, plan social activities, play games, share links and swap pictures, videos and music files, expressing themselves in a virtual universe through their IM screen names, avatars and away messages.
"E-mail’s for old people!", you tell parents and teachers.
And whether you’re on AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger or ICQ, you’re logging on more and more often, with some kids spending several hours a day online.
You might be hooked on the power of instant messaging, but for all your enthusiasm, most of you are also aware that there are some safety issues involved in using this technology.
Nevertheless, studies have shown you could improve your knowledge of the risks you face and the ways you can protect yourselves.
Too many kids are still falling victim to cyber bullies, internet predators and attacks from hackers, viruses and spyware. Maybe you’ve already had an unpleasant or unsettling experience using IM? Either way, the dangers are real, and it’s sensible to learn a few basic safety rules.
The safer your instant messaging experience, the more fun you will have!
Top IM Tips for Kids
Choosing a Screen Name: Never use your real name on IM. Pick a gender neutral screen name or ‘handle’ that doesn’t give away too much information about your real identity and will not attract the wrong kind of attention.Managing Contacts: Think carefully about who’s on your buddy list. Do you know all these people? Never forget that people on IM might be lying about who they are. A ‘friend’ is not necessarily a friend.
Protecting Your Personal Info: Keep your personal information secret when talking to someone you don’t know in the real world. Never give out your phone number, email or home address. Think also about the publicly visible information you have in your member profile and away message. Do you really want all your contacts to know exactly where they can reach you when you’re not online? Even details such as your school name, hometown or local football team can be used to track you down.
Learning to Use the Messenger’s Safety Features: Kids tend to be much better at using some messaging tools than others. Are you aware that the best IM clients allow you to block / ignore people on IM, block messages from people not on your buddy list, save transcripts of distressing conversations and report bad behavior or misuse of the service? Make sure you know how to use these features, and don’t be afraid to do so!
Reporting IM Abuse: Tell a parent or carer if someone or something you encounter on IM upsets you or makes you feel uncomfortable or worried. Your Messenger service should also be informed.
Declining Files: Don’t accept unsolicited files or messages from people you don’t know. They could be infected with viruses or spyware which will cause problems for your computer.
Securing Your Account: Never reveal your username or password to anyone, and be sure to change your password frequently. A good password should not be easy to guess by anyone who knows your particular interests. It’s best to select a random combination of numbers and letters.
Ignoring Abusive Messages: Don’t reply to abusive messages and, by the same token, don’t send any abusive messages yourself. Because of the faceless nature of IM communication, it’s easy for misunderstandings to take place and arguments to develop. As a rule, don’t say anything on Messenger that you wouldn’t be prepared to say to someone’s face.
Avoiding IM Addiction: Messaging is great fun, but it’s all too easy to get hooked. Try to keep tabs on the amount of time you are spending on Messenger programs and make sure it’s not preventing you living a full and successful life. No matter how much of a skilled multi-tasker you believe yourself to be, if you’ve got important homework to do, it’s probably best to sign out of your IM account as soon as you go online!
Meeting IM Contact: It can be extremely dangerous to meet up in person with somebody you only know online. If you really feel that you have to meet, it is vital for your safety that you tell a parent or other responsible adult what you are planning to do. Take an adult with you – at least on the first visit – and make sure your meeting takes place in a public place during the daytime.
Top
If you have an questions or queries about Chat Safe Online services, we'd love to hear them. Please follow this link to use the form provided or contact us on:
+44 (0) 870 050 012.
Netintelligence 14 Day Free Trial
We believe that Netintelligence is the most complete Parental Control & Internet Security package available anywhere but do not take our word for it - TRY IT