160 replies to this topic

[Hamsteys]

This doesnt mean to stop being friendly with your friends, just be careful what you say and how much you say.

Yep, lol and manly they will try to scare you or be too over friendly and always ask you to go somewhere.. >.>
(somthing i learned from cold case)

[Summer]

Good point mm! I hope people listened to that. Also can I add that when you are online and you are talking to someone that you don't know, it is the same as going up to someone in the street and talking to them. You wouldn't go up to a stranger and say "hey, my name is (whatever your name is) and I live at (your address)," would you? It's no different just because you're online. These people are very patient. They will talk to you for weeks, months even. They will make you feel like you are really good friends with them. Then, maybe without thinking you will send them a photo of yourself. That photo can be shared and edited. They might ask if they want to meet up. Now, reading this you might think "no, I will not meet up with you." Fine, they can't forse you. But you know that photo you sent them? They can tell you that if you don't meet up, they will send it to all your friends. They can pressure you. And if you do meet up? You can only imagine.

Don't get yourself into this situation. If you feel conserned about who you're talking to, block them. STRAIGHT AWAY.

I'm not saying that every stranger online is a pervert. Of course not. If I thought that I wouldn't be on this site. I wouldn't go on any forums. Just be careful. And thank you mm for bringing this up.

Edited by Summer, 15 April 2007 - 03:35 AM.

[panther]

Remember, kids...



(hats made from limes keep you safe XD)

In all seriousness, MM is very right. So always use common sense when talking to people online.

[monkeysmom]

Hey, I was reading the latest issue of Teen Vogue, and they had this cool advertisement with Hayden Panettiere wearing a 2SMRT4U ring. To get your own free ring and spread the word about internet safety you can get your FREE ring for you and a friend at: www.2smrt4u.com

Help other teens by spreading the news about the dangers on the internet and how you can help prevent them! I ordered 2 rings -- one for MG and one for her best friend.

And yes, I do read Teen Vogue. How else is a mom to keep up with her kid and the latest fashions? Have to keep open those channels of communication!

Edited by monkeysmom, 16 April 2007 - 04:35 AM.

[PoptartShop]

^Agreed, people might not be who they say they are.
That's why I always use caution if I ever talk to people I don't know.

[ascme93]

Thanks MM for that!
If i feel uncomfortable with talking to people then i do block them.
My closest internet friends they've been on webcam so i know who they are.
I once wanted to add one of my(real life) friends and she said her address but theres 2 ways of spelling her nickname so i wasnt too sure so i add both of them, well one late night this person came online as the other way of spelling it and s/he asked me how old i was well i said(un awared) and s/he was like 'quite young' and immidiatly i said i had to go and i blocked her/him because it does sound a bit 'dodgy' when someone says 'quite young then'.
Just need stay aware and alert.

[hamsterfanTLH]

My mom worries alot about this stuff so she just dosn't let me go to the chat room at all.

[PapillonSparkle]

My mom worries alot about this stuff so she just dosn't let me go to the chat room at all.

Same with my mom!

[robinhamster]

Yeah my parents do too. But I can go in chat rooms if I want but I never have. I like chatboxes better lol.

[Squeak's Mommy]

For those of you whose moms won't let you on chatrooms, please, respect that and obey her.

I remember only a couple years ago, I was mad at my mom for telling me I couldn't go to chatrooms. While I was at a friend's house, we went to a chat site, and we had what seemed like a lot of 'fun.'

I continued to go back to the chatroom later on by myself, bypassing passwords and sneaking around a lot to do so. I was told some very crude things, and at that age, I didn't even really understand what they meant. But I do now, and I won't forget. Amazingly, I didn't get into any serious danger, like a lot of others have.

The thing is, obey your parents; they tend to get things right.

P.s. MM-thanks for the link for the ring! I really appreciate it, and I'm getting two!

[cippen]

Can u also talk about petafiles? And cops with petafiles-- cecthing people. Cause my mom just did 'the speech'

[lillie]

I know this was first posted a long while ago but i wasn't a member then. I just gotta say, great advice. I'm a Mum o 3 and it's difficult to get the message across. Especially when it comes from 'Mum'. It's so easy to get carried away when in full throws of chatting. It's good to give them a little reminder.

[hammy_helen]

fantastic topic it is very important - thank you for educating the young

[Spacemonkey]

Like Hammy_Helen above (sorry for making you feel old Helen! ) I'm quite a few years older than most of you that use this site. I'll happily chat to anyone but I sometimes worry I shouldn't because of the age gap and how it might be taken the wrong way, I certainly don't want anyone to think there is any weird motive in my actions, I only ever talk Hamsters to anyone anyway and would certainly not ask any personal stuff.

It is a dangerous world we live in, even at my age I have the odd run in with weirdos, especially playing online games like Yahoo Pool, its not just chat rooms that are dangerous. I would say if you use Yahoo Messenger to set it to allow only people that are on your friends list to talk to you otherwise you get people popping up at random. I have people on my MSN list that I have met on another Hamster forum but they have known me for ages and its not really an issue.

I hope that came out right and everyone understands what I'm trying to say! Anyway.... as long as we stick to light hearted hammy chat I don't think we can go wrong

[Lucas]

For those of you whose moms won't let you on chatrooms, please, respect that and obey her.

I remember only a couple years ago, I was mad at my mom for telling me I couldn't go to chatrooms. While I was at a friend's house, we went to a chat site, and we had what seemed like a lot of 'fun.'

I continued to go back to the chatroom later on by myself, bypassing passwords and sneaking around a lot to do so. I was told some very crude things, and at that age, I didn't even really understand what they meant. But I do now, and I won't forget. Amazingly, I didn't get into any serious danger, like a lot of others have.

The thing is, obey your parents; they tend to get things right.

P.s. MM-thanks for the link for the ring! I really appreciate it, and I'm getting two!

Yes, I can remember everything my parents have told me about internet safety.
Its something you almost can't forget; and shouldn't.
If you're parents love you enough to tell you about this kind of stuff, you 'gotta listen to them.
They want to protect you, and keep you safe.
Its what parents are for, eh?

Yes, chatrooms are scary places. Crude and random remarks can be thrown out of no where.
Its dumb....
The last time I remember going into a chatroom was on here, and with my friend Jay (guitarist of Holy Roman Empire), and a few other people.
It was kind of a fan of the band gathering, lol.
I just so hapened to, apperently, be the youngest there. haha.
But I don't just randomly go around looking for a chatroom to open up to see what kind of conversation I can get.
Its not safe. Its not right. And you never knew the outcome.
Anything can happen, and there is nothing anyone can do about it.
If you slip something out, you're like... theirs.
You're last name, phone number, e-mail adress, home adress, city...
If they say they are some hot guy, and you give them personal info; you know what the chances are of that guy telling the truth?
Not very good chances, its NOT worth your life.
Just stay out of it guys, its not safe.

Can u also talk about petafiles? And cops with petafiles-- cecthing people. Cause my mom just did 'the speech'

Yes, pedophyles are a big issue among the chatroom life.
Around MSN, websites, forums, anywhere.
You have to stay aware that people aren't always who they say they are. Like its been said.
If they are asking you too much info, you can tell they're not good people.
Block them;ignore them, whatever you can to get away from them, and DO NOT TELL THEM ANYTHING.
You don't have to be polite in situations like that, just get out of there.

In all what I'm trying to say, beyond the ramblings I just don't shut up about.
Things aren't always what they seem.
I mean, I love it here. I feel safe coming here.
The mods and admins are always on the case is situations liek that, and all of us as members look out for each other.
Like a fun little family we've got. x)
Other forums let you swear, be rude, and things get out of control easily.
When things like that are kept watch, blocked out, and not acceptable, you get a good forum.
Run by responsible people who care about the likes of others.