Internet Chatrooms

Chat rooms can be a lot of fun. However, there are some dangers in using them.

There are a few simple things you can do to make sure that you stay safe when you visit one.

Staying safe

You might talk to your friends or other people you know in a chat room. But there are a lot of other people there too. It is important to remember that people in Internet chat rooms might not be who they say they are. There’s no way to tell if people are the same age as you; it could be an adult trying to trick you.

Be aware that paedophiles use chat rooms to meet young people. They might say they are someone else and spend time getting to know you, to get your trust. This is known as ‘grooming.’ A paedophile may try to get you to meet them once they think they’ve got your trust.

Sign up and chat safely using the rules below:

1. Check with your parent/carer that it’s OK to go into a chat room. They only want you to be safe and can look out for you as well.
2. When you register with a chat room, you may have to give some personal details for their records. Often, the boxes you have to fill in are marked with a *. Only fill these in and leave the others blank if you don’t want to give the information.
3. Is the info going to be shown as part of a profile that other people can see? Check whether you can choose not to show your profile. Check if you can use a nickname/username.
4. Don’t give out any personal details in a chat room conversation, e.g. your real name, parents’/carers’ names, mobile number, home address, e-mail address, or where you go to school.
5. If someone says something that makes you uncomfortable, worries or upsets you, leave the conversation. Some sites will let you block a sender’s name if they’re bothering you and report them to the chat provider.
6. Tell an adult if you see something you don’t like, either in a chat room or elsewhere on the Internet. It is better to be honest, even if they didn’t know you were using a chatroom. They can help with reporting the messages or material to the chat room provider, the police or the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) – see useful contacts.

Meeting someone from a chat room

It’s not a good idea to meet up with people you met in a chat room. Remember that no matter how long you’ve chatted online or how well you think you know them, they are still a stranger.

If you really want to meet someone, there are a few important rules to make sure you stay safe:

1. Tell a parent/carer or another adult you trust where you’re going.
2. Never go on your own or meet at your online buddy’s house. Go with friends or an adult you trust.
3. Meet in a busy public area, like a shopping centre or café.
4. Take your phone with you. If anything happens, you’ll be able to call someone for help.

Bullying and harassment through chat rooms, e-mail or text

You don’t have to put up with bullying, through your mobile, e-mail, chat rooms or anywhere else. (Please see also the Bullying section).

For more information and advice on how to deal with this kind of bullying, check out the following:The BBC Web Site and Bullying Online

Useful contacts

The BBC

For info and advice on how to deal with bullying and mobile phone bullying

BBC Chatguide

Info and advice for staying safe online (for children, young people, parents and teachers)

Bullying Online

This website has loads of information to help you cope with bullying and stop it from happening.

You can e-mail and write to Bullying Online about the bullying you’re experiencing. You can write the letter or e-mail in any language and Bullying Online will have it translated. They will also reply in your language, if that’s what you would prefer.
Address: Bullying Online, 9 Knox Way, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 3JL
e-mail: help@bullying.co.uk

Chatdanger

Info on how to keep safe while chatting online

ChildLine

24-hour, free and confidential advice for young people, on any subject
Tel: 0800 1111
Minicom: 0800 400 222

ChildLine

For information and advice on dealing with bullying and mobile phone bullying

For Kids by Kids Online

For all sorts of advice and information on mobiles, chat rooms, the Internet, e-mail and much more.

Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)

If you see things like pictures on the Internet that you think are illegal, you can report it to the IWF. They will pass it to the police confidentially.

Samaritans

Confidential, emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress of despair
Tel: 08457 90 90 90

Think U Know

In English or Welsh, Think U Know has useful info on web safety and is designed especially for young people