However, the stakes can be much higher in online chat rooms as opposed to making friends in real life. The uncertainties exist, not knowing if what appears to be real, really is, and the margin for error can be much higher.
The anonymity of chat rooms allows people to present varying identities. This makes it an interesting challenge for parents trying to keep their teenagers safe on the Internet. It can be very hard to discern between a sheep and a wolf in sheeps clothing, as there are predators prowling in many of the chat rooms that exist online.
Engaging in chat with these unsavoury characters is a dreadful thought, but what is worse is the prospect of teenagers being lured into a face to face meeting.
Many teens are able to exercise common but even the most sceptical teen can be swayed or manipulated into doing something against their good judgement.
Teenagers are a curious bunch when it comes to new relationships, and letting ones guard down for only a moment can lead to serious repercussions.
Things to look for:
Many predators will try to assume the identity of another teenager, even though they may in actuality, be much older. Some predators are quite diligent and will take weeks or months to form a relationship under a false identity.
By the time there is actually a face-to-face meeting, a teenager will probably already feel like he or she knows the stranger, and has developed trust. This is exactly what the predator wants. And unfortunately, the consequences can include disappearances, rape and murder.
Another potential pitfall in chat rooms is the phenomenon of cyber stalking. If a teenager is not careful about divulging personal information, there is the possibility of an unwanted person following their every move. Especially if they have the childs information such as email address, phone number, street address or photos.
Tips for parents:
Parents need to encourage their teens to practice safe surfing while engaging in chat rooms. Drive it home to them to report anything obscene, offensive, or threatening while using these rooms. Most chat rooms will have the perpetrator removed if they are committing these kinds of acts. Make sure your child is well-versed in online privacy procedures. Give them the facts and make sure they are aware of the consequences of posting personal information. It is the responsibility of the parent to make sure that their child is equipped with the knowledge to make smart choices while on the internet. Make Internet safety a priority in your home.
Go over these bullying safety tips with your child to make sure they understand what to do if they're being bullied. Make sure they also know that they shouldn't be bullies themselves.
Read through these tips and discuss bullying with your child and help them help themselves:
-Kids: If you're being bothered by a bully, let an adult, like a teacher, parent, or coach know. -Parents: If your child seems hesitant to go to school or to socialize with other kids, ask if there's someone who's giving them trouble.
-Kids: Try to walk or eat with other friends if you feel uncomfortable about being alone because of a bully. -Parents: Take teacher's notes seriously if they say your child is being teased or is having trouble fitting in.
-Kids: Simply ignore bullies and pretend that you don't see or hear the mean things they may be doing. -Parents: Remember that bullying can be more than just physical. Other types of bullying include cyber (hurtful e-mails and IMs), emotional (exclusion; forming cliques), racist (using derogatory racial terms, etc.), sexual (inappropriate touching, etc.), and verbal (name-calling; teasing).
-Kids: You can also defend yourself by simply telling a bully to stop pestering you. -Parents: Meet with your child's teacher to see what you can do to help your child deal with their bullies.
-Kids: Don't become a bully yourself by hitting, teasing, kicking or yelling at bullies or anyone else. -Parents: Look out for more obvious signs of bullying like bedwetting, poor concentration and missing money or possessions.
-Kids: Remember that some bullies may be mean because they're sad or mad about something else -- their abuse is not your fault. -Parents: Try contacting the parents of bullies to explain what's going on between your children. A bully may be angry, sad, or frustrated because of issues at home.
One of the best ways in dealing with bullies is to make sure your child is less of a target. Teach them to walk tall with shoulders back. Show them how to carry their heads high and keep their eyes focused on others when they are talking. Direct eye contact is done by children who are confident. Keep the safety tips in mind and remember that being brave and walking tall doesn't mean being a wimp.
Both Ben Needles & Joyce Jackson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Joyce Jackson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Banking, Children and SEO Search Engine Optimization. Joyce Jackson is a safety expert and consultant in northern California. For her latest book and information see .. Joyce Jackson's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.