Hi everyone,
The MelbourneChat website is getting more and more popular and I see lots of social events being planned.
This is great news, but I think it is timely to remind everyone about protecting their safety when it comes to sharing information online with strangers and also the risks of meeting strangers in the real world.
Here are a few tips that will hopefully be of some help in keeping all MelbourneChat users safe and sound:
Safety Tips
1) Don't reveal personal details! We strongly discourage members against revealing personal details through the site. Never include your last name, email address, home address, phone number, place of work or any other identifying information in your online profile or first correspondence with someone. Also, don't reveal your facebook page to a stranger if you have included lots of personal information on your facebook page! That is just another way of inadvertently revealing too much personal details.
2) Be careful who you trust online. A person can pretend to be someone they are not.
3) Chat via msn or skype first [b]- [/b]Chatting with someone via MSN or skype can be a good way to get to know a person before you meet them in real life. Or alternatively you can give them a ring on the phone, but this is only advisable if you have a private phone number which does not come up on Caller ID. Otherwise, you risk receiving unwelcome phone calls later on if the person retrieves your phone number through Caller ID
4) Meeting up for the first time? It is important to employ common sense when meeting a stranger. Go to a public place where there is plenty of people around and take along some friends so you have company throughout the meeting. Also, make sure your loved ones know where you are going beforehand and let them know when you will be home. Always carry a mobile phone with you.
5) Arrange your own transport to and from the meeting. Don't accept offers of a lift from your new online friend.
6) Don't go to their/your home for first meeting - Do not invite your new friend to your home on the first meeting, or visit them at their home.
7) Go with your instincts. If the meeting is not going well and you are feeling uncomfortable make your excuses and leave politely.
8) You are under no obligation to meet people in person. If you are not sure or it doesn't feel right to you, don't.
Stay Safe!!!
The MelbourneChat website is getting more and more popular and I see lots of social events being planned.
This is great news, but I think it is timely to remind everyone about protecting their safety when it comes to sharing information online with strangers and also the risks of meeting strangers in the real world.
Here are a few tips that will hopefully be of some help in keeping all MelbourneChat users safe and sound:
Safety Tips
1) Don't reveal personal details! We strongly discourage members against revealing personal details through the site. Never include your last name, email address, home address, phone number, place of work or any other identifying information in your online profile or first correspondence with someone. Also, don't reveal your facebook page to a stranger if you have included lots of personal information on your facebook page! That is just another way of inadvertently revealing too much personal details.
2) Be careful who you trust online. A person can pretend to be someone they are not.
3) Chat via msn or skype first [b]- [/b]Chatting with someone via MSN or skype can be a good way to get to know a person before you meet them in real life. Or alternatively you can give them a ring on the phone, but this is only advisable if you have a private phone number which does not come up on Caller ID. Otherwise, you risk receiving unwelcome phone calls later on if the person retrieves your phone number through Caller ID
4) Meeting up for the first time? It is important to employ common sense when meeting a stranger. Go to a public place where there is plenty of people around and take along some friends so you have company throughout the meeting. Also, make sure your loved ones know where you are going beforehand and let them know when you will be home. Always carry a mobile phone with you.
5) Arrange your own transport to and from the meeting. Don't accept offers of a lift from your new online friend.
6) Don't go to their/your home for first meeting - Do not invite your new friend to your home on the first meeting, or visit them at their home.
7) Go with your instincts. If the meeting is not going well and you are feeling uncomfortable make your excuses and leave politely.
8) You are under no obligation to meet people in person. If you are not sure or it doesn't feel right to you, don't.
Stay Safe!!!