Blogging 101 Keep it Safe Keep it Friendly Keep it Real

What is a Blog? A Blog or Weblog (web+log) is a journal posted on the Internet. It is basically a diary. It may contain pictures and or text and may be viewed by anyone. This “diary” is broadcast to millions of strangers on the Internet. Blogs are often hosted free of charge by companies who place ads on blog pages.

What is a Blog? A blog is a popular way to share your feelings and communicate with your friends. It’s a place to write down your thoughts and feelings, your desires and hopes for the future. It’s a place that is open for ANYONE to read and comment on. Blogging has become a “teen” pastime. Blogging is not necessarily a bad thing, if you do it right. Blogging done wrong can be dangerous and even illegal.

What’s the Danger? Online sexual predators can pose as teens and gather enough information from a blog to put together a personal profile of the author. School name, names of friends, teachers, addresses, towns, phone numbers-all of these fit together to lead a sexual predator to your front doorstep. While these details may seem very innocent, a predator will use them. You are putting yourself at risk.

What’s the Danger? Because teens think they are “anonymous,” they often write things in blogs that they would never say out loud. They do not see and understand the damage their words can do. Cyber Bullying is the term used for hateful and derogatory comments made in blogs, IMs and text messages. 13 year old Ryan Halligan committed suicide as a result of cyber bullying. You can’t undo the emotional damage you cause with cyber bullying. You don’t want to live with this type of guilt.Ryan Halligan This “gossip” can be defined as Libel, which is a criminal act, punishable under the law.

Definition of Libel a : a defamatory statement or representation esp. in the form of written or printed words; specifically : a false published statement that injures an individual's reputation (as in business) or otherwise exposes him or her to public contempt b : the publication of such a libel

Too Much Information Each piece of information seems harmless. It’s when the predators put multiple pieces together that you have put yourself in danger.

What’s Wrong with this Blog? Picture-The predator now knows what you look like. Full name School State Birthdate-This makes it easier to find information on the Internet. With a name, school and state, a predator can find an address and Mapquest a map to your front door.

Protecting Your Blog Do not include personal and detailed information in your blog. (where you hang out, days you have practice, etc.) Do not complete a profile or include name, address, phone number, school, zip code, address or screen name in your blog. This is EXACTLY what predators look for! Do not share personal information about anyone else you know. (friends,relatives, etc.)

Protecting Your Blog Do not include photos of yourself or others in your blog. Do not leave your blog open and your computer unattended. Do not spread gossip or slander about your classmates. You can never take those words back. Don’t write something that you wouldn’t want your friends, parents, teachers, pastor, neighbors, or relatives to read. If it’s out there-they can read it.

In Conclusion… If you like to blog: –Keep it safe –Keep it friendly –Keep it real Report cyber bullying to your parents and/or teachers. If you ever feel threatened by a cyber bully, report it to local law enforcement. Learn more about Internet safety at iSafe.org. iSafe.org

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