Although we would all like to think that the Internet is a safe and friendly place to surf in reality it isn't. The truth is cyber world just like the physical world has dishonesty and its own version of criminals and crime. Just as you learn ways to avoid trouble in the physical world you can take steps to prevent trouble in cyberspace as well. RangeWeb has provided a list of Internet Guidelines to help you make informed on-line decisions while surfing the net. Even though most young surfers are more net savvy than their adult counterparts many still fall victim to on-line predators. We hope this guideline serves as a reminder to you to surf safely.

Internet Safety Guidelines

• Remember your privacy is your responsibility, never reveal identifying information about yourself or anyone else. Information such as your home address, school, telephone number, daily schedule, full name, password, or social security number should never be provided to strangers on-line. This includes e-mail, chat rooms, web sites and bulletin or message boards.
• When visiting a website provide personal information to reputable sites that pledge to keep that information strictly confidential. Look for website privacy statements on the homepage of a website—if you can't find one, don't give out your information.
• It is a good idea to keep two separate email accounts: a "personal" account for friends and family; and a free, web-based "public" email address.
• Never get together with someone you meet online, especially alone or without telling your parents first. Meeting may be appropriate if you have told your parents, are meeting the person in a group of your friends, and in a public place.
• Do not respond to email, chat comments, instant messages, or newsgroup messages that are inappropriate, or make you feel uncomfortable in any way. Ignore them and tell your parents or an adult about it. Try to get that person's online name, or handle, for reference. Report the incident to your Internet Service Provider and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678, or on-line at www.missingkids.com/cybertip. Examples of illegal material includes threats to your life or safety, threats to others, and child pornography.
• Do not post a photograph of yourself or anyone else online, or send photos via email (unless it is to someone you know in real life and can trust).
• Do not accept invitations to chat alone with strangers (in private chats, just between the two of you) and do not accept instant messages from strangers.
• Do not harass, threaten, flame, or "bomb" anyone else.
• Never give out your account password, even if the person who asks for it says they are from your Internet Service Provider.
• Do not open or download executable files from an unknown source. They could contain a virus that could damage your computer.
• Do not call anyone you meet on the Internet on the telephone, even if they tell you that you can call them collect and do not accept gifts from anyone you meet online.
• Talk with your parents about their rules and expectations for going online.
• Remember that your first loyalty should be to yourself and to your own safety. You have the right to your privacy, and to avoid any situation that makes you uncomfortable or places you in danger, even if that means disappointing an online acquaintance or making that person angry.