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Cyberbullying - Types, Consequences, Supports [4-6] - Handout 4-6.3

Online Safety

Don't say anything online that you would not repeat or say in person.

People think that on the Internet, you can be anonymous. Sometimes that leads them to say inappropriate, rude, hurtful, embarassing things online about someone else. We are never anonymous when we use technology. This can have offline consequences, like losing friends.

Do not share personal or confidental information.

Never share confidental information such as passwords with anyone other than parents. Personal or identifying information should not be used online.

Do not pretend you are someone "fake" online to be mean.

It is important to protect your privacy online to strangers, but you should never pretend you are someone else when you are talking to people you know. By pretending to be someone else, you are using the power of technology to mislead and distress someone.

Don't talk to strangers online and only add "friends" that you've met in real life.

Just like our parents tell us not to talk to strangers in real life, we need to remember the same message online. When people are behind a screen, we really don't know who we are talking to. To be safe, only add people or talk to people online that you've met and talked to in real life, no matter how nice they might seem.

Everything you write online could potentially be viewed by anyone.

Some people forget this and say things that they shouldn't say or that they would not want others to see. What we put in "print" is there forever.

Just like offline, you should respect someone's right to end a conversation with you.

Not respecting the other person's wishes is a type of harassment and is disrespectful.

Information Adapted from www.healthycanadians.gc.ca, and http://prevnet.ca/BullyingResources/ResourcesForEveryone/tabid/392/Default.aspx.

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