|
A dash of common sense can go a long way towards keeping safe when using chatrooms, such as the ones offered through GO Chat. Take five minutes to go through our tips and advice and you will find that there is a lot that you, as a GO Chat user or a parent, can do to keep chatrooms safe and fun.
|
General Safety |
• |
When chatting through GO Chat, any SMS you send will be received by all the users in the chatroom, unless you send a private SMS to a particular user. The sender will always be displayed as 2428. Therefore, your mobile number will never show up in the chatroom and no one can get to know it unless you tell them what it is.
|
• |
Anyone can access a chatroom. It pays to be careful what information you give about yourself if you do not know all the other users beforehand.
|
• | Do not give out your mobile number or your personal details to anyone unless you are sure of whom you are talking to. |
• | Be vague about your home address and location, e. g. "I live in Malta/Gozo"; "I am just hanging out".
|
• | Be assertive: if you would rather not join in a conversation, say so. Leave the chatroom and do not feel intimidated if you are told that you will not be allowed back in. There are many chatrooms to choose from
|
• | Sometimes the name of a chatroom indicates what it is about. If you would rather not chat about the subject, choose another chatroom.
|
• | You can create a chatroom for just you and your trusted friends. Feel free to refuse anyone who asks to join if you are happy being a closed group |
• | If you feel that you are being harassed, store the SMS until you can show it to someone in authority. GO does not store GO Chat messages so if you delete them, they cannot be retrieved. |
• | If you would like to meet other GO Chat users personally, arrange to meet at a public place and do not go alone. Arrange for your parents or a group of friends to accompany you. |
• | Do not send your picture or a detailed description of yourself to strangers. It will make it easy for them to identify you.
|
• | Remember that you can refuse to answer any question at any time. If you feel that you are being pressured, talk to someone who may be able to help you, e. g. your parent, a trusted friend or the police.
|
• | Remember that you may stop chatting with anyone at any time. No one will get to know your mobile number unless you give it to them. You may choose another chatroom if you feel uncomfortable chatting with one or more of the chatroom users.
|
Children, remember!
|
• | Ask your parents before using GO Chat.
|
• | Tell your parents who you are chatting with.
|
• | Remember that people can lie about many things, including their age. Always inform your parents if you feel that someone is not being truthful.
|
• | Ask your parents before giving your mobile number or name and address (including E-mail) to anyone you meet in GO Chat.
|
• | Do not give out your location to strangers. If you are asked where you are, tell them such things as, "I am outside enjoying the sun", but do not say where. Avoid such statements as, "I am in San Anton Gardens sitting by the duck pond", unless your parents tell you it is okay to say so..
|
• | Do not arrange to meet with anyone you met through GO Chat without getting your parents' consent. Ask your parents or a trusted adult to come with you for the meeting. |
• | If you receive any messages that make you feel uncomfortable, store them and show them to your parents. Remember that it is not your fault that you received them and your parents will feel better knowing that they can trust you to come to them with any problems.
|
Parents, please take note |
• | Be aware of the GO Chat service and how it works. It will help you understand better what your child is doing.
|
• | Keep an open dialogue with your children. Let them know that they can confide in you at any time if they feel that they are being harassed. |
• | Make sure that your children are aware of the precautions they need to take to be safe in a chatroom, such as not giving out their mobile number, personal details and current location to strangers. Inform your children about the reason for such precautions, such as to avoid others finding you unless you safely know who they are.
|
