Christie Withrow
SLM521- Privacy Online 
Tips to Keep Your
Privacy Online
These are some
suggestions for elementary kids to consider in order to keep privacy online.
There are tips on here that might make you say, “Oh, that’s not a big deal,” so
I will try to explain the reason. In no particular order, they are:
Never post pictures on social
networks (Facebook, MySpace) that you wouldn’t want Grandma to see. Those pictures are online forever. When you get older and apply for
jobs, someone very important can still find those pictures. Don’t ruin your
reputation.
Never instant message with someone
if they haven’t sat at your dinner table. Dangerous people who
seem nice are out there. If your parents don’t know them, then don’t talk to them.
Share the cookies. Information is inside your computer called “cookies.” Each time you
click on your mouse, cookies are made. Use a different search engine than your
email. For example, if you use gmail for your email, use yahoo to look things
up. That way there is a limit to how much information is given to one website.
You’ve been googled. Probably by someone else, if you haven’t already googled your own
name. Google is not a free background check. Just because you google someone
and nothing bad comes up does not mean their closet is clean. Google is a great
search engine, but it is not the FBI.
Put a lock on your diary. Writing is very artistic and can/ should be a healthy outlet. Many
kids write blogs about their daily life, how they feel, and their dreams and so
on. Make sure you put a password on your blog so that only people you want can
read it. Otherwise you could write about a place you’re going to be and a
random person could show up. Give the password to only those you trust like
family and close friends.
Leave spam in the can. Spam is another word for emails or messages that are a waste. They are
usually from people who want your money. If you reply to spam, a whole bunch of
crummy people will now have your email address. Just simply delete it.
Cha-ching makes the telephone ring. Before you buy anything over the internet, ask a parent if it is okay
to use the credit card, even if it’s your own. Sometimes websites can look real
but are fake. Then, you wouldn’t really get what you paid for. Online shopping
can be quite convenient as long as it is a legitimate store.
You can seal envelopes but you can’t
seal the internet. Have you ever been in trouble and
your mother said, “Well don’t let your father find out about this!” Well
fortunately or unfortunately, anyone can find out if you’ve been in trouble
with the law before. Court records are made public. Therefore, especially as
you get into your teen years, don’t do anything against the law. People will
find out about it.
We are all in this together. Your parents want to keep you safe, so they have told you certain
websites or places you must stay away from. Some kids might think that they can
just look at those websites at school or at an office or on someone else’s
computer. There are certain programs that track and block you from going to
certain places. When you get a job, your boss can see where you have been on
the internet. It’s just like how other teachers can see you running down the
hall even if your own teacher can’t. So know that everyone who cares about you
wants to keep you safe and on the right path.
Go with your gut. You most likely will encounter a criminal online. If you get that
feeling that something is wrong, it most likely is. Get an adult-parent,
teacher, principal, policeman- and get off the computer right away. The
computer is a wonderful informative place, but we must always use caution. You
have a conscience for a reason. Use it.