Toolkit topic: Taking part in chat rooms
Chatrooms are very popular amongst young people, but equally they can have a role to play for all internet users. Central to their use must be the realisation that chatrooms are populated by real people. Whilst we would like to think that we know those we are chatting with, how do we verify that they are who they say they are?
Many online friends are really strangers and they may just be someone who is prepared to spend a considerable amount of time gaining the trust of people with whom they chat. They share information about themselves, even send a photograph, all designed to encourage other users to do the same; sadly, they may simply not be who they say they are.
When chatting on line it is very important to stay in charge and also recognise when others are trying to take charge. It is important not to reveal personal information and to be aware of how you may be tricked into doing so. "You go to St Mildred's, don't you?" "No I go to Gailey" - immediately you have revealed information. It is important to know when to stop chatting and to appreciate that it is much harder to end a conversation in a private chatroom.
Users of chatrooms should learn how to copy a conversation in a chat room - you just never know when you may wish that you had the evidence to prove your case.
You can obtain good advice on the use of chatrooms by clicking on the links below
A good interactive site for learners
http://www.chatdanger.com/chat/
What is a good chatroom?
http://www.chatdanger.com/chat/setup.aspx
Chatroom safety
http://www.chatdanger.com/chat/safetyadvice.aspx
Facebook and schools guidance on chatrooms
Avatars
It is recommend that all children and young people are advised to use nicknames and avatars when using social networking sites, blogs, Wikis, MSN etc. Avatars help give pupil's a 'hidden' identity on the internet rather than encouring them to up load photographs of themselves. click here to develop your own avatar. Dopple Me webpage
Last Modified:
19/01/2012 09:39:22
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