Whether you meet someone online, or at the local mall, there are some safety concerns that you need to keep in mind.
Here are some tips for online safety:
- Don't give out personal information (like your full name, address, phone number).
- Remember, not everyone is who they seem to be online. The 16-year-old girl who loves all the same bands as you and also fights about curfews with her mom, might really be someone middle-aged, just looking for a laugh or worse.
- If you agree to meet, do so in a public place! Better yet, in a public place and with a friend in tow.
Here are some general safety tips:
- Be as upfront with your parents as possible! Always have a way for them to find you and make sure to call them if anything seems dicey.
- Always tell someone who you are with and where you will be.
- Trust your instincts. If somethings seems fishy or makes you uncomfortable, leave.
- Your safety is way more important that the possibility of hurting someone else's feelings.
Check out this information on making sure a site is trustworthy.
