- The Internet is a global computer network which connects people and that is why you should treat the unknown people on the Internet like the strangers you meet in the street in the real life.
- Do not post any personal information about yourself, family or friends, such as their names, addresses, landlines or mobile phones. Some information like the name and location of your school or your school activities can reveal your identity to strangers. There are people who follow such information and based on it can make a plan of your activities within a few weeks. Be careful what you say and never reveal your personal information.
- Carefully choose your email address or a nickname for online chat. Do not pick provocative nicknames since you will more likely receive provocative emails in return or be abused on the Internet.
- Never agree to meet up with a person you have met only online. You should ask your parents for permission. Even if your parents give you permission, do not go alone, but with a trusted adult.
- Use your common sense! Remember that people online are not always who they say they are.
- Do not fill online application forms without your parents’ permission. There are sites which collect personal information in order to use them for marketing, commercial or even lawbreaking purposes. Do always check the Privacy Policy! It is a legal statement that specifies what a certain website does with its users’ personal data.
- Do not open e-mail messages from unknown senders, in order to prevent possible downloading of a virus (which can come from people you know, though) or receiving an email with a disturbing content.
- A large number of chain letters is actually fraudulent and usually contains viruses. Please check if that is the case before forwarding a chain e-mail.
- Never send photos, video attachments about yourself or any other content to a person you have met online without prior agreement with your parents.
- Follow the ‘netiquette’ (network etiquette) rules. ‘Netiquette’ is a set of rules for acceptable online behaviour. This simply means to have good manners in online communication, like in the real life. Whatever is acceptable in real life, it is also acceptable on the Internet. To the contrary, the things which are not allowed in real life, they are not acceptable on the Internet!
- Always talk to your parents / teachers if you see any unpleasant content on the Internet, or if someone threatens or abuses you through the Internet!
- Never respond to provocative, rude or threatening messages that make you feel uncomfortable or scared! Tell your parents or teachers about such messages and try to save a copy if possible, so your parents or teachers will be able to forward them to the relevant institutions.
- Always double-check the information you find online. Just the fact it is online, does not mean it is always true, especially when it comes to health issues, or when you look for help with your homework. Make sure the site you visit is reliable and trustworthy, not the one based on rumours and unverified information.
- When certain programs, extensions, or download services require your email address, do not use your personal email address. In this way you will reduce the number of unwanted
- Be responsible while using the internet either at home, or a public place such as an internet café. Do not abuse data from the Internet, use IT equipment responsibly and do not harm anyone with your online activities
- Source: bezbedaninternet ombusman