Jeff, the Musician
The “Reel” Story: Blogs
- Keeping a blog can be a great way to stay in touch with friends and meet new people. Some websites host profiles built around a specific interest, like music, and others help bloggers find old friends or make new ones. But the way in which blogs make it easy to learn about others also make it easy for sexual predators to stalk their victims.
- Being cautious about the information you put on a blog – your own or the comments you write on someone else’s – is the best way to protect yourself. Also keep in mind that there are programs that can pull together your profiles from various websites, making it easier for predators to learn more about you. Here a few tips to help you stay safe while blogging:
- Being cautious about the information you put on a blog – your own or the comments you write on someone else’s – is the best way to protect yourself. Also keep in mind that there are programs that can pull together your profiles from various websites, making it easier for predators to learn more about you. Here a few tips to help you stay safe while blogging:
• Never give out any personal information, such as your address, phone number, password or photograph. It is surprisingly easy for a stranger to track you down with even the smallest amount of information.
• Don’t believe everything you’re told. Sexual predators will often pass themselves off as other teenagers, even using photos of real teenagers to back up their lies. Always remember that you have no way of knowing who is telling the truth on the Internet.
• Never make an appointment to meet in person with someone you have met on the Internet without the permission of your parents or another adult. Make sure the meeting place is a public place and other people are with you.
• Be aware that the current laws have limits. In Canada, the age of consent is 14. Therefore, a 45-year-old man who meets up with a 14-year-old girl and has consensual sex with her can’t be charged with sexual assault.
• If you do share photos or video of yourself, be aware that anything you broadcast can never be taken back. Once it’s out there, it’s there for the whole world – including your parents – to see.
• If you use a webcam, be sure that you actually unplug the webcam when you’re not using it. Even if you just turn it off, it could still be manipulated remotely and used to film you without your knowledge.
• Talk to your parents about what you do online, and invite them to surf the Net with you. If you have concerns about things you see on the Internet, or think someone else might be in trouble, tell them or another adult you trust.
• If you see indications of children being sexually exploited online, you should report it to www.cybertip.ca and tell a parent or trusted adult. Don’t be intimidated by others into keeping quiet if you see a problem.
• Don’t believe everything you’re told. Sexual predators will often pass themselves off as other teenagers, even using photos of real teenagers to back up their lies. Always remember that you have no way of knowing who is telling the truth on the Internet.
• Never make an appointment to meet in person with someone you have met on the Internet without the permission of your parents or another adult. Make sure the meeting place is a public place and other people are with you.
• Be aware that the current laws have limits. In Canada, the age of consent is 14. Therefore, a 45-year-old man who meets up with a 14-year-old girl and has consensual sex with her can’t be charged with sexual assault.
• If you do share photos or video of yourself, be aware that anything you broadcast can never be taken back. Once it’s out there, it’s there for the whole world – including your parents – to see.
• If you use a webcam, be sure that you actually unplug the webcam when you’re not using it. Even if you just turn it off, it could still be manipulated remotely and used to film you without your knowledge.
• Talk to your parents about what you do online, and invite them to surf the Net with you. If you have concerns about things you see on the Internet, or think someone else might be in trouble, tell them or another adult you trust.
• If you see indications of children being sexually exploited online, you should report it to www.cybertip.ca and tell a parent or trusted adult. Don’t be intimidated by others into keeping quiet if you see a problem.
