Basic Rules of Safety Print


o If you are in a public place and get separated from your parent (or the person in charge of you), do not wander around looking for him or her.  Go to a police officer, a checkout counter, the security office, or the lost-and-found area and quickly tell someone in charge that you have been separated from your parent and need help.

o You should not get into a car or go anywhere without your parent's permission.

o Adults and older youths who are not in your family and who need help (such as finding an address or locating a lost pet) should not ask children for help; they should ask other adults.

o You should use the buddy system and try not to go anyplace alone.

o Always ask your parent's permission before going into someone else's home.

o No one should ask you to keep a special secret when someone has been scared or hurt by the secret.  If this happens, tell your parent or teacher.

o If someone insists on taking your picture or videotaping you and taking your clothes off, tell your parent or teacher.

o No one should touch you in ways or places that make you feel bad.  You should not touch anyone else in ways that will make them feel bad.  You should ask an adult you trust questions whenever you are mixed up about someone's touch or behavior.

o Unless you talk to a parent about it first, never talk to anybody by phone if you know that person only on-line.  If someone asks you to call them (even if it's collect or a toll free 800 number) that's a warning.  That person can get your phone number this way, either from a phone bill or from caller ID.
o Never agree to meet someone you have met on-line any place off-line, in the real world, unless your parents are meeting the person also (such as a play date with another youth.)  Remember, many people may claim to be youth online, and that does not mean they are.  Never meet anyone in person that you have met online without your parents with you.

o Watch out if someone on-line starts talking about hacking or breaking into other people's or companies' computer systems; phreaking (the "ph" sounds like an "f"); the illegal use of long-distance service or cellular phones; or viruses, on-line programs that destroy or damage data when other people download these onto their computers.

o Promise your parent or an adult family member and yourself what you will honor any rules about how much time you are allowed to spend on-line and what you do and where you will go while you are on-line.