The world wide web is a un-nerving when you are not used to it, but it isn’t as bad as you think, as long as you are careful. We have put together some simple points that should help you along, and help protect you from the not so friendly aspects of the world wide web.

• Where possible, don’t give out your personal details unless you know who you are giving them to. Even then, People on the Internet may not be who they say they are!
• Think why they are wanting your details and what they will use it for
• Look for secure site emblems when buying online (Below) 

• Never arrange to meet someone that you only know online alone, and if you do meet them do so in a public place where you know that you are safe. Always tell someone where, when and who you are meeting.
• Always doubt information unless you know the source to be reliable
  Only open attachments from sources you trust. Always be aware that they could contain a virus!
• Be careful what you say about your friends and their personal info. They've told you as a mate, so you shouldn't pass anything on to people they don't know.
• If you're posting a profile, don't include any info which could help to identify you offline (unless you want to) - again that means your personal email address, mobile phone number, home or work address and also pictures of yourself.
  Paedophiles online are seriously clever and will often spend months gaining your trust before asking to meet you. If you do decide to meet someone, tell someone else exactly where you are going, don't go alone, meet somewhere busy and take your moblie phone.
• The most important thing to remember is 'safety in numbers'.  Never go on your own.  Instead you should take a mate or two you trust along with you. Choose a place to meet carefully. Make sure it is somewhere busy like a shopping centre, or outside a shop on the high street.
• Then if the person you are meeting turns out to be a weirdo, they'll have less opportunity to cause you any hassle. Finally, if anything happens you'll be able to call and ask for help.
• Stay in charge in chat. Keep your personal information secret when chatting online (name, address, telephone number, mobile number, private email address, picture), even if people ask for this. Although It can be tempting to reveal more than you normally would in online friendships, giving out personal information can make you vulnerable.
• Check your profile and make sure it doesn’t include any personal information (name, address, telephone number, mobile number, private email address, picture).
• Get away from an unpleasant situation in a chatroom by logging out (this just takes one click) or by changing your screen name.
• Think before you answer private messages. It can be harder to end a conversation in a private chat than in a public chat. A private chat may end up being more personal than you like.
• Use a nickname, not your real name, and a nickname that is not going to attract the wrong type of attention.
• Look out for your friends and do something if you think that they are at risk. Tell someone if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.
• Learn how to keep/save a copy of the conversation in chat – this may be useful if you want to report something.
• Learn how to block/ignore people.
• Check you know how to report something you feel uncomfortable about to the chatroom provider or moderator.