| It is almost a given that any child deemed old enough | | | | a 25-year-old woman to choose either! |
| to use an Internet Chat Room is also mature enough | | | | - Don't share information. Unless parents give their |
| to grasp there are some very bad people in the | | | | okay and supervision, this rule of chat room safety is |
| world. To help keep youngsters safe while still | | | | generally laid down in stone in most households. It |
| allowing them to enjoy the communication the | | | | simply is not wise for children to share their real |
| Internet allows, many parents school their children on | | | | names, addresses, telephone numbers and even |
| chat room safety. | | | | school names with those they do not know. |
| Whether the site in question offers homework help, | | | | - No face-to-face meetings. While there are some |
| is designed for teens to share their personal issues or | | | | wonderful stories of face-to-face meetings taking |
| centers on a special interest or hobby, the reality is | | | | place and long-term friendship being forged, the |
| that chat room safety is a necessity. While many | | | | horror stories tend to outnumber. This chat room |
| teens and children flock to these sites to talk it up, | | | | safety tip is to avoid these at all costs. If adults |
| so too do predators looking for an easy score. With | | | | want to meet and greet, that's fine, but children's |
| horror stories abounding as a result, chat room | | | | safety is too precious to risk so many parents just |
| safety is deemed imperative in many households. | | | | don't allow this. |
| Since children (and even parents) cannot always | | | | - Chat room access. Many parents set rules for or |
| ascertain if the person on the other end of the | | | | limit access to chat rooms when possible. This might |
| screen is a bad guy or a good one, chat room safety | | | | not guarantee a child doesn't bump into a bad guy |
| advice is a very good idea to share. Many parents | | | | now and again, but when a youngster is only allowed |
| make sure their children understand and follow these | | | | to visit a private room a fellow (known) parent set |
| chat room safety tips: | | | | up for neighborhood children, the chances for trouble |
| - Use a pseudonym. Most chat sites, e-mail accounts | | | | are reduced greatly. |
| and other Internet functions enable users to pick a | | | | Chat room safety is a concern that is raised in many |
| nickname or pseudonym. This is a very good idea to | | | | households. As more youth access the Internet, the |
| enforce. It helps make sure a child's identity isn't | | | | number of stories about predators lurking and actually |
| revealed. Take care when choosing this nickname, | | | | pulling off face-to-face meetings seems to grow in |
| however. Anything too suggestive or revealing can | | | | leaps and bounds. While most chat room safety rules |
| cause trouble. For example, SexyLegs0000 would | | | | suffice to help keep youngsters safe, the best tip if |
| very likely go against the grain of chat room safety | | | | all is to simply supervise online activity. |
| for a 12-year-old girl. In fact, it might not be wise for | | | | |