Composition I

Online Etiquette

by Vicki Courtney

Try to get in the habit of asking yourself on a regular basis, “Would what I am typing bring glory and honor to God?”
If you have a profile, would someone who doesn’t know you determine that you are a Christian after reading it?
Do people readily share gossip with you online? If so, don’t feel flattered—they gossip with you because you have a proven reputation for participating in it.
Be cautious when clicking through to links on other people’s profiles. Many are mislabeled and lead to inappropriate sites.
Always imagine that what you are about to type could be copied and pasted by the other person and used against you in the future. If what you are going to say is not something you are comfortable with others reading, don’t type it.
Never talk badly about someone else…they could be sitting right next to the person you are IMing!
Hold other Christians accountable if they use bad language or have inappropriate comments or links on their profiles by gently challenging them to clean it up.
Make sure your screen name is edifying to God. I was shocked that one of my daughter’s friends from camp had the screen name that partly read “Christianbabe.” Her name alone sends a contradictory message.
Remember that email and IM messages are often misunderstood because it’s hard to read the emotion or intent behind the messages. Save your serious conversations for the phone or better yet, face to face. And whatever you do, never, ever end a relationship by email, IM, or text message!
Always remember that many parents have software installed on their home computers that can track every IM, every email sent or received, every keystroke made, and every website visited. Whenever you email, IM, or send a text message to someone, just assume for all practical purposes, that their parents will see it at some point! Most importantly, remember that God doesn’t need a software program to track your keystrokes!

From Teenvirtue, by Vicki Courtney. For more information, click on the following sites:

www.vickicourtney.com

www.virtuealert.com (parent’s resource tool on the culture’s impact on our preteens/teens)

www.virtuousreality.com (online magazine for middle and high school girls)

Internet Safety Rules for Kids

Never give out personal information on the Internet. Don’t share your real name, information about where you live, go to school, your family or your friends. Good and bad people from all over the world have access to the internet

Never talk to strangers on line. Someone may pretend to be someone they’re not.

Never agree to meet someone you met online without talking to your parents about it first. Remember, just because a person says he is your age and likes the same groups you do, doesn’t mean he isn’t a 55-year old axe murderer out on parole.

Log off immediately if you see something that is frightening or upsetting. Be sure and tell your parents about it right away also.

Protect your passwords, screen name and user ID. People who know your password may do whatever they like on the site. Writing mean, inappropriate or hurtful messages to your friends and claiming to be you is a typical teenage activity.

Never send or post pictures of yourself or your family without asking your parents first. Sending pictures of your birthday party to an aunt is a wonderful thing to do, but sending that same picture to a stranger is dangerous.

Never buy anything or subscribe to a paying site on the Internet without your parent’s permission. There are lots of scams on the Internet. Don’t get caught falling for one and having to explain to your parents where the credit card charge came from.

Ask your parent’s permission to go into a chat room. You and your mom and dad can set up which chat rooms are okay and which ones are not.

Obey your parent’s computer usage rules. God has placed them in your life to protect you. Their rules are not too strict. Their rules are extremely loving.

Internet Safety Rules for Parents

· Keep the computer in a family room, kitchen or another area where you can monitor its use.

· Limit your child's time on line, just like you do their television viewing. They need a balance of activities in their lives.

· Take time to teach your children how to use the computer responsibly.

· Discuss the rules with your children. Post them near the computer as a reminder.

· Ask about your child's on–line friends, so you know with whom they are communicating.

· Discuss the difference between advertising and educational information. Explain by showing examples of each.

· Most Internet providers offer parental controls with their service. Use them to keep children away from undesirable sites.

· Report anything that gets by parental controls and let your Internet service provider know what you expect in terms of keeping kids safe.

· Learn all you can about blocking and filtering software offered by computer stores. Many can be purchased or downloaded for FREE.

Finding Out More About Safety

Online Etiquette

Internet Safety for Kids

Internet Safety Rules for Parents

Safety Resources