State of Rhode Island
State Police
Department of Public Safety State of Rhode Island
State Police
Department of Public SafetyKeep all of your personal information to yourself.
Information like your address, telephone number, or even where you go to school and what you do afterwards can lead to a dangerous situation. It doesn't take much to give away your identity.
Never give out your picture or post it online.
Your image is everything; don't let someone destroy it. Anything you send could be altered and then given to other people. Always ask your parents or guardians before you give anyone on the Internet your name or address, your phone number, or any other personal details. This includes the name of your school, your photo or any personal information about your friends or family.
Don't give out information simply because it is requested.
Websites sometimes ask you to give them your full name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, etc. Give as little information as possible, then hit the "submit" button and see what information you really need to provide to get that account. You don't want too much information to get into the wrong hands.
Create a gender-neutral user name and email address.
It is important that your user name not reveal any personal information such as your real name, age, sex, location, where you go to school, age, etc. Child predators look for ways to make you think they know you or like the same things you like, so be careful.
Don't give out passwords to anyone other than your parents or guardians.
Your password can be used in a variety of ways that may hurt you. If you think that someone may know your password, change it. There is no reason for anyone to ever contact you requesting your password.
Don't trust everyone you meet online.
The people you meet online may not be who they say they are. For instance, someone online could claim to be 12 and really be 50. If someone always seems to be changing stories or saying one thing that's different from something they've said before, be extremely careful. These are clues that something is wrong and that person could be a predator or harasser trying to trick you into trusting them.
If you come across anything that makes you uncomfortable, tell your parents/guardians or an adult you trust.
This includes pictures or messages that are mean, or anything else that makes you feel uncomfortable. If someone writes something rude or something that makes you feel uncomfortable online or in a text message, save the comment or image and show an adult.
Watch what you "say" online.
A good rule of thumb is to only type what you would say to someone's face. If you wouldn't say it to a stranger standing next to you, don't send it or post it online. This goes for photos as well. If you wouldn't want your photo being shown all over the world in public, think twice about sending it to someone.
Always ask your parents before:
If you are being cyberbullied, it is best to simply not respond. If they continue to harass you, follow the tips below. These tips can also be used if a stranger contacts you.