Here at Walderslade Online we like to encourage the younger members of the community to use our site as often as possible. However it is VERY important that they follow our basic safety tips to ensure they enjoy their time on-line with minimum risk.

1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ permission.

   This is particularly important in a public message area such as at a Chat Room or on Bulletin Boards. Remember this should include the Walderslade On-Line Chat Room as anyone on the Internet can have access. It is OK to give your name.



2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.

   This could be Messages, Chat Rooms or Internet Sites and may be: Aggressive, Argumentative, Obscene, Suggestive, Threatening, Unfriendly or just Make You Feel Uncomfortable.



3. I will not respond to any messages that are nasty, or in any way make me feel uncomfortable.

   It is not your fault if you get a message like that. If you do tell your parents right away they can contact the service provider, who will be able to stop these messages.



4. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.

   Because you can't see, or even hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him or herself. It is possible for someone to pretend that "she" is a "12-year-old-girl" when they could actually be an older man.



5. I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" on-line without first checking with my parents or guardian.

   If my parents or guardian agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and I will bring my mother, father or guardian along with me.



6. I will be careful if someone offers me something for nothing.

   It could be a gift, money or anything else. Be very careful about any offers that involve your coming to a meeting or having someone visit your house.



7. I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online.

   We will decide upon the time of day that I can be on-line, the length of time I can be on-line, and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.



8. I will not give out my Internet password to anyone other than my parents (even my best friends).

   Your password needs to be kept a secret so that only you can use it.



9. I will get to know my "on-line friends" in the same way that I get to know all of my other friends.

   You wouldn't talk to a stranger in the street so don't talk to a stranger on the internet.



10. I will be a good on-line citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

    That way you will enjoy your time on-line.