You might wonder why you even need a
SafeTeens.Com. It's a good question. After all you're not a little kid anymore.
You know all about the Internet -- probably more than your parents -- and you
are getting to an age where you can take care of yourself.
Well, taking care of yourself is what SafeTeens.Com is all about. We
believe that teens should take care of themselves but sometimes they need a bit of help or
at least some advice. Remember, you have the right to control what people know about you.
Don't let strangers rob you of your privacy.
We're also painfully aware that teens are the most vulnerable segment of our
population. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Department of
Justice have reported that "12-15 year olds are victimized at a rate of 84
percent higher than the general population," (U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau
of Justice Statistics Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics-1994).
We're not trying to scare anyone. We're glad that teens are using the Net,
but we're concerned that they do so safely. You won't find any moralizing on
SafeTeens.Com nor will you find us talking "down" to teenagers. We're not here
to tell you where you can and cannot go online but we are here to say that your actions do
have consequences. Whatever you do, follow the basic guidelines:
- Keep Your Identity Private
- Never Get Together With Someone You "Meet" Online
- Never Respond to E-mail, Chat Comments, or
Newsgroup Messages That Are Hostile, Belligerent, Inappropriate, Or In Any Way Make You
Feel Uncomfortable
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Links:
So, now that you know a little bit of what SafeTeens.Com is all
about, how about spending a few more minutes checking out Teen
Safety on the Information Highway?
Pay special attention to the Basic
Rules of Online Safety for Teens. And, when you're done with that, check our Links section. We're not just here to keep you safe. We also want
you to have fun and learn a thing or too.
If you have younger siblings, ask your
parents to check out SafeKids.Com for
ways to protect them.
Finally, tell your parents to check out the
Guidelines
for Parents section, especially the part that says that they shouldn't overreact
but "be Open with Your Teens and Encourage
Them to Come to You if They Encounter a Problem Online."
