Why is Internet Safety Important

Why is Internet Safety Important for Everyone

Just like meeting someone new at the store or a club, meeting someone new online is a risk. You can’t really know someone online so personal internet safety is very important. An individual online may feel free to lie, cover up their true identity, or embellish, simply because they’re hidden under the cover of the web.

In some ways, Internet strangers may feel safer, than say, someone you meet at a bar, because they can’t see you and they’re not in the same room, but it’s not really all that much safer. In fact, it could be more dangerous, because you do feel safer chatting online then in a bar, so you may reveal more personal information.

Internet socializing is increasingly popular, which is a major reason behind, “Why is Internet safety important?” There are teen chat rooms, social sites like MySpace, online dating sites, blogs, advice websites, and forums for everyone from cancer survivors to freelance writers, to guys who like bikes, and more; it’s easy to find people with your interests online.

Internet socializing can be beneficial, but also provides an opportunity for strangers to try and gain access to your personal information. It may feel very comfortable and pleasing to chat with other folks going through a divorce, but there’s no way to know if someone online is really living your experiences or just trying to gain information, so it pays to be careful.

Every Age Group Needs to Consider Online Safety

Just because you’re older, or a man, or have a college degree doesn’t mean you can’t be a target of online stalking, harassment, bullying, or worse. No one is immune because there are folks who will target anyone. Kids and teens do have special risk factors, it’s true. However, even adults need to follow safety precautions. Following is a breakdown of risks that may apply to specific age groups.

Kids & Teens Online Safety

Kids are at a real risk for being bullied or stalked online. Even if you know the sites your kids hang out on, and these sites seem perfectly safe and kid-friendly, they may still be a target. Peers have been known to target and bully other kids online, and unlike in-person bullying, online bullying is less likely to be reported by the victim.

Research shows that online bullying is no small matter. Due to the impact of cyber bullying, there are children who have developed depression and others who have gone to far as committing suicide. Take a look at the 2007 Internet Safety Statistics for Children report; some of it is shocking.

Topics you need to discuss with your kids include: Internet Safety for Teens Kids Safety on the Internet MySpace Safety

Adult Online Safety

Adults, both younger and older adults, can be a target of online abuse. Adults may feel that they’re in control of the situation because they’re an adult, not a teen or child, but adults can make all the same mistakes online that a younger individual can. Safety while socializing on the Internet is not something to stop thinking about just because you pass into adulthood.

If you’re an adult, a new set of issues pops up. You have financial accounts online that a younger person may not. You are more likely to hang out on online dating sites. You may have a family to protect and care for. Additionally, if you have a job and or spouse, both can be affected if you don’t follow personal Internet safety precautions.

Why is internet safety important? – Think you know everything about Internet safety? Take the Internet Safety Quiz and find out.