Avoiding Virtual Abuse: Staying Safe Online

Providing personal info on blogs, profiles and message boards can be dangerous and lead to online abuse from strangers or friends.

Sharing private things with your friends can be treacherous turf too. 71% of teens say boyfriends or girlfriends spreading rumors about them on cellphones and social networking sites is a serious problem.

68% of teens says boyfriends or girlfriends sharing private and/or embarrassing pics or videos on cells phones or computers is a serious problem.

Here are some tips to stay safe online.

• Don’t do or say anything online you wouldn’t do in person.
• Only post things you are okay with people seeing and knowing. Remember, posting information or photos about your friends and family could be putting them at risk too.
• Use the privacy settings to keep your page as private as you can.
• If you are being abused or harassed online, change your usernames and email addresses.
• If you're being called names or harassed via text, TURN OFF your phone or give it to your parents. Tell your textual abuser that you won't stand for it.
• Report any inappropriate behavior to site administrators.
• As always, trust your instincts. If you think something is off or you feeling threatened, tell someone you can help you – a parent, teacher, coach, religious adviser, whoever you think can help!

Need help NOW? Make the call.