Learn about the different ways you can use the Internet, challenge your safe surf smarts with quizzes and build your family’s online safety contract! Get started with your online promise now.
Not everyone is on the Internet to have a good time. Some people lie about who they are or bully others, so it’s important to know how to avoid these people and surf safe.
No matter how you’re using the Internet remember these 3 rules.
The online world is an exciting place where you can socialize and keep in touch with family and friends by sending emails, chatting or playing games. There’s tons of information and fun to be had online, but there are dangers too.
To get the best online experience you need to learn how to Safe Surf through all the different ways you can use the Internet. This site has information and tips for doing just that! Get started right away, and in no time you’ll be an Internet safety pro!
Social networking allows users to personalize a web page that’s dedicated to their lives and then share that information. Facebook, My Space and Live Journal are big networks of connected personal profile pages that allow you to send email, post photos and express your personal thoughts in a blog or on a message board.
Learn more about social networking
A chat room is like a giant coffee shop where different users come to talk and meet new people online. Their text-based conversations appear on screen instantly, much like instant messaging, but the conversations of all the users are visible to everyone in the “room.”
Learn more about chat rooms
Instant messaging is a text-based communication tool that allows you to talk to family and friends in real-time. When you send someone a message it appears on his or her screen right away, so it’s just like you’re talking face-to-face.
Learn more about instant messaging
Online bullies, AKA cyberbullies, use technology — like cell phones and the Internet — to harass, embarrass or intimidate an individual. Cyberbullies send nasty rumours or hurtful comments over text messages, emails, websites and on instant message programs. Cyberbullies have also been known to send or post embarrassing photos of their victims over the Internet as well.
Learn more about online bullying
Online gaming is just like playing a regular computer or video game, but instead of playing alone you can play with people from all over the world! Users can team up to defeat enemies or play against a computer-controlled team. There are even text and voice chat capabilities, so gamers can communicate in real time while they play.
Learn more about online gaming
File sharing, AKA peer-to-peer or P2P, is a technology that allows users to search for and copy files from another computer. Most people use P2P to swap digital music files (MP3s).
Learn more about file sharing