Let's Be Real

August 1, 2007
Dear teenagers,


Hi, my name is Brionna and I’m writing this letter to voice my concerns about teens that have web pages like on Myspace, Facebook, and Black Planet. I think we as teens don’t think as hard when we post things on web pages and are not fully aware how to protect ourselves from internet predators and other dangerous things.

As I wrote in my previous blog called “Be ware!!! You’re on the internet”
About how to stay safe on the internet. I’m going to now give you a better understanding about what they mean and why there important.

 Never write your full name out-always uses a nickname or write initials out.
Why: Writing your name out can give predators or other sick people basically, your identity of who you are. So please don’t write your full name out!!!!!

 Never put your address out
Why: This is kind of obvious but for those who don’t know, If you post your address on the internet, then it’s a very high probability that some will track you down.

 Never put your school name out
Why: Putting your school on the internet is almost like telling someone were you live. Which means don’t do it!!!!

 Never put the state you live in , If you have to put a state, make it up
Why: Like I said before some things are meant to be private. If you have to write the state you live in make it up .Example: If you live in Florida, write you live in Michigan or some other place.

 Never give anybody but your parents your passwords. Even if it’s your best friend
Why: We all have friends but when it comes to websites your friends can become your worst enemy , they can put stuff on the internet that may or may not be true.

 Try to only add people you know to your friends list
Why: Once you add someone you don’t know to your friends list, to them it gives them the idea that you’re close and in some situations that’s not always good.

 Don’t go any ware with anybody, even if they seem nice
Why: We all hear news about teens going with people they met on the internet and end up getting rape or kill in the process. To me that sentence explains it all. Don’t go with anyone you met on the internet you don’t know!!!

 Always think before you post anything, it can mess up your reputation
Why: Now if you put anything like you love sleeping around, people will get a negative image on who you are and give you a reputation you will not like. Just a little warning!!!!

 Always tell an adult if someone online is writing or sending inappropriate pictures.
Why: If anyone says anything nasty, sexual, or rude tell an adult you trust. It can lead to something, you don’t want to get into.



Now that you have a better understanding why these rules are important, God Bless and have fun.


Sincerely,

Brianna E.

Be ware!!! You're on the internet

I believe we as people, especially young people, need to pay attention and stop being so dumb and naive about these different websites (like Myspace, Facebook, crushspot, etc.) The world is not a nice place and we need to get that through our thick heads that people don’t care about us and will use any way as possible to take advantage of us, I say use the brain that God gave you and think before you do anything.


Now about these sex offenders, I think it’s nasty and sick how they try to take advantage of people who could be their own daughter or son (age wise). I think if you’re that desperate, you need to find someone your own age or just be lonely forever. I don’t care what you do by yourself, just don’t advantage of someone.

Every time I ask my parents can I have a webpage that say “no” and now that I’m older I know why that say no because all there trying to do is protect me from the dangers of predators, but now that they let me have a webpage they make sure I don’t put any personal information out and they always make sure I’m being responsible.



How to protect yourself when you’re on WebPages (Myspace, Facebook, crushspot, tag, bebo, etc)


v Never write your full name out-always uses a nickname or write initials out.
v Never put your address out
v Never put your school name out
v Never put the state you live in , If you have to put a state, make it up
v Never give anybody but your parents your passwords. Even if it’s your best friend
v Try to only add people you know to your friends list
v Don’t go any ware with anybody, even if they seem nice
v Always think before you post anything, it can mess up your reputation
v Always tell an adult if someone online is writing or sending inappropriate pictures
v Be smart, Think safe, have fun


In conclusion, I would like to say that if you as person use these ten steps and think safe on the internet, I promise, no I guarantee that you will have a better and hazard free experience.