Instant Messaging (IM)

How can I make it safer?

Discuss with students how the Internet is a public place.
Explain to students that pictures should not be sent or posted online without parental permission. Once sent, control over what happens to the pictures is lost.
Reinforce the idea that not everyone is who they say they are online. People can pretend to be older or younger than they actually are.
Explain to students that they should trust their instincts and block someone if the individual asks questions online that seem 'weird' (i.e. questions about puberty, sex, etc.).
Talk to students about friendship: what it is and isn't.
Explain to students that online chatting needs to be adult-supervised.
Explain to students that it's illegal to threaten someone, and that they should tell a safe adult if threatened online.
Teach students about adding friends only if they have already met them in person (i.e. exchanged email addresses over the phone or in person with friends).
Teach students that if they come across something or someone that makes them feel uncomfortable, even if it seems to be coming from a friend, they can tell you without fear of losing computer privileges.