From the moment you post your first blog entry, everything you write becomes public. Keep in mind that lots of people might read your blog, so only post things about yourself that you wouldn’t mind seeing on a billboard or on the evening news. While you can take precautions to keep your blog private, there are a number of things to remember.
- Don’t use personal information, especially your name, where you live, and where you go to school or work. Create an online nickname that doesn’t identify you.
- Don’t use an email with your name in it when you sign up for your blog account.
- If possible, use passwords to protect your information, and only make it available to friends and family.
- Have a blog buddy that can check your site for possible problems.
- Treat everybody you meet online as a stranger. It’s very easy to lie online, so someone may not be who they pretend to be.
- NEVER MAKE PLANS TO MEET SOMEBODY YOU’VE MET ONLINE WITHOUT ASKING YOUR PARENTS FOR PERMISSION.
Lots of people like to post photos on their blogs. This adds another level of safety precautions for you to follow.
- Make sure no identifying information is in the photo. This might include:
- Your name or school name on a sports jersey
- An automobile license plate
- Signs that identify your school or other location
- Be considerate of other people’s privacy. Always ask permission before you post a picture of someone other than yourself, even your best friend.
- If you’re not sure a photo is appropriate to post, then don’t post it. Better safe than sorry!
References
Blog Safety – Safe Blogging Tips for Teens
http://www.blogsafety.com/teentips.htm
i-SAFE Inc. (http://www.isafe.org/) – Eluding Internet Predatorso http://xblock.isafe.org/docs/Eluding_Internet_Predators_Tip_Sheet.pdf
USA Today – Teens Wear Their Hearts on Their Blogs (Sidebar
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2005-10-30-teen-blogs_x.htm
