FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it safe to let my teen have a profile in a social networking site?
It can be. Teens who are careful not to share information they wouldn't want the world to know and who have their profiles visible to people they know in real life, but hidden to others, are less likely to have any unwanted attention.
- What is a social network?
This term is generally associated with a website where a user can share their name, location and interests in an online profile. A social network connects the profiles of friends together by linking the profiles to those of the friends the user chooses. It is generally safest to link only to someone's profile if you know them in real life.
- How do I keep my information private?
Privacy is no different online than it is offline. Regarding personal information that you might share in a community or on a profile, the best rule of thumb is if you want to keep something secret, the best way is not to tell anyone. The same is true with information online. Don't put information online that you would not want to share with the world. Even in a "private" profile, friends who can see your profile have the ability to share the information.
Regarding personal information that you might enter to buy something online; only share information that is actually needed to facilitate the purchase and be wary of whom you purchase from. Ask yourself if the place you are about to buy something from is a reputable business. If it is a traditional retail store and you are at their web site, the answer is likely yes. If it is not a business you know, you might consider using PayPal, which is a reputable company, and allows you to purchase something from a vendor, without sharing your credit card information.
- What is a chat room?
A chat room is an online window that allows users to "talk" to a group of people at once through typing messages into the web page. Generally chat rooms are filled with people who have never met in real life, but are coming together to discuss a topic of common interest.
