This document provides information and tips for safely traveling through the web. It discusses internet basics like URLs and domain extensions. It also covers topics like avoiding inappropriate sites, social media safety, cyberbullying awareness and prevention, common online scams, and internet security best practices. Resources are provided on each topic for further education. The overall message is to be aware of potential online dangers but not to be afraid, and to take basic precautions like using privacy settings, avoiding giving out private information, and knowing how to get help if needed.

1. SafelyTraveling
Through theWeb
AnastasiaTrekles, Ph.D.
Clinical Asst. Professor,
Purdue University North Central
atrekles@pnc.edu
Prezi version: http://prezi.com/nssf4cblhggv/

2. Today’sTopics
1. Online basics:Terms and tools for understanding
2. Social networking:Where and how you can get in
trouble online
3. Cyber-bullying:The schoolyard goes digital
4. Internet Security: What we can do to protect
ourselves and our computers
5. Resources: Furthers resources to explore on all of
these topics

3. Internet Basics: HelpfulTerms and
Tools
• URL (uniform resource
locator): Also known as an
Internet address, this is
what is typed into a browser
program in order to visit a
web site
• Many people think that all
websites start with “www”
and end with “.com”, but
this not true
• Contrary to popular belief,
.org doesn’t mean a site is
better or more reliable –
evaluate all information
that comes your way!
• When sending personal
info, like credit cards or
passwords, check for the S
in the http

4. SimpleTips for Avoiding
Inappropriate Sites
• If stuck in a “pop-up attack”, or a site where the user can’t
seem to get away, use the keyboard to quit or close the
window
• Control+W (Windows) or Command+W (Mac) closes a window
• Alt+F4 or Control+Alt+Delete (Windows) or Command+Q or
Command+Option+Esc (Mac) closes a program
• Avoid going to sites or following links that you’re not sure
about
• Use search engines that filter out inappropriate content,
likeYahooligans!

6. Social Media
• Sites that allow users to
share personal profiles,
favorite pictures and
videos, and thoughts
between others who are
“friends” on their network
• Examples: Facebook,
SnapChat,Twitter,
Instagram,WhatsApp,
Tumblr

7. Talking to Strangers
• Learn some “stranger
literacy” you can use to
improve the quality and
safety of online time:
• Never post or disclose
personal information or
concerns on an open
forum
• Keep your social accounts
private, so that only those
with an invitation can visit

8. Pay Attention to Others Online
• Pay attention to the details of other people’s
messages, and watch for inconsistencies or other
clues that might indicate that they are not who
they say they are
• Ask others for their opinion about people you
have concerns about
• Watch out for overtly friendly or complimentary
messages, or anyone who sends unsolicited gifts

9. Making New Friends
• Never agree to meet
someone in person without
parental approval and
without someone you trust
present
• If you want to meet
someone from online who
you feel has “passed” all the
tests, always meet them in a
public place and never leave
that place with the stranger

10. Profiles and Postings
• You don’t have to tell
everything!
• Avoid including specific
information about yourself,
your community, your
school, or other things
you’re involved with in your
online profiles
• When posting video and
pictures, never include
anything personally
identifiable

11. Profiles and Postings
• Remember that everyone can potentially see your
videos, pictures, and posts once they are online
• NEVER post anything inappropriate or incriminating
in any way, even if someone else pressures you to do
so
• You cannot control what happens to the things you
post after they are online, and future employers,
college recruiters, etc. may be able to see these
things

13. Cyber-Bullying
• Refers to any insulting, degrading, or intimidating
behavior toward another in an online format
• Bullying has always been around, but in an online
format now the bully can remain (somewhat)
anonymous
• Hurtful or threatening exchanges by someone you do
not know can be all that much more intimidating,
and bullies know this

14. Cyber Bullying
• Can happen through email, IM, social networks, blogs,
online gaming
• Understand that cyber bullying can be very serious
• Watch for warning signs with your friends and your kids:
• Behavior change, lower grades
• Expressing reluctance in activities they used to enjoy
• Signs of illness, depression, refusal to go to school
• Spending too much time online or cell phone messaging

15. Why does cyberbullying happen?
• It’s easier to hurt
someone you can’t see
• They think they won’t get
caught
• Cyberbullies can get a
bigger audience online,
feeding into their
insecurities
• Peer pressure!

16. Basic Netiquette
• Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you
would follow in real life
• Don’t share personal information - even to people you
know – online
• Don’t pass on rumors and protect others’ privacy
• Use smileys to help your messages get understood better
• Realize that you are never really anonymous online
• Be forgiving of others’ mistakes and don’t start “flame
wars” or gang up on others

17. Kids: Don’t become a bully!
• Follow the rules of netiquette and do not join in on
conversations that insult others
• Remember that the person on the other end is a real
human being, with real feelings, and abusive actions
still hurt them even if you can’t seem them
• Don’t reply to any spam/group messages, even to
remove yourself from their “list”
• Report abusive behavior against others to parents,
police, and/or website moderators immediately

18. IfYou are Being Bullied
• Don’t make your personal contact info public!
• Use blocking tools in email, phones, and websites where
available
• Make sure that the right person receives what you send by
making sure screen names and addresses are spelled correctly
• Don’t reply to harassing messages - save them instead, and tell
an adult
• You can also forward harassing messages to your Internet
Service Provider
• Tell the police immediately if you receive a physical threat

19. Cyber Bullying Resources
• http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/
• http://haltabuse.org/
• http://www.cyberbully.org/
• http://www.cyberbullying.us/
• http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/
• http://www.internetsuperheroes.org/cyberbullying/

21. Online Frauds and Scams
• Phishing: an attempt to masquerade as a
legitimate website in an attempt to gain personal
information about someone and use it against
them (often used for financial identity theft)
• Spam: an unsolicited email, instant message, or
online post attempting to lure people into trying
or buying some service or product (often used by
pornography sites)

22. Avoiding the Scams
• Never click on ad banners on sites you visit
• Never click on any attachment or link in an email if it
came from someone you do not know
• Check the message header of a suspicious email to
see where it really came from:
http://vww.spamcop.com/help_with_headers/
• Check carefully for spelling errors and misleading
Internet addresses (I.e., irs.com instead of irs.gov)

23. Evaluate Sites forYour Family
• Use this site to help guide your security journey,
also: http://kids.getnetwise.org/tools/
• Also try the many reviews at
https://www.commonsensemedia.org - excellent
source for families to see what’s good and what’s
bad online and in the media

24. Downloading Music and Files
• Download only from trusted,
legal sources, like iTunes or
Amazon.com
• Never post material that others
have created online without
their permission
• Never present another’s work
as your own
• Plagiarism is a serious offense
that can get you in trouble with
school and with the law

25. Safe-Surfing Contract
• A parent-child contract that teaches responsibility
and reinforces smart Internet behavior
• http://www.internetsuperheroes.org/cyberbullying/a
dult/contract_regular.html
• Print it off and go over it with your child, make sure
she understands everything that is expected of her,
then both of you sign it

26. Internet Safety Education
• Highly recommended site with materials and training
for parents, kids, and law enforcement about
Internet safety
• Teachers, parents, kids, and law enforcement can
become certified iSafe instructors and mentors
through this site for free
• Go to http://ilearn.isafe.org to sign up and access
videos and other materials

27. Internet Safety Resources
• http://www.netsmartz.org/
• http://www.safekids.com/
• http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_saf
ety.html
• http://www.wiredsafety.org/
• http://www.safeteens.com/
• http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

28. Copyright and Plagiarism Resources
• For Kids
• http://www.copyrightkids.org/
• http://www.richmond.k12.va.us/schools/jones/Copyright-
Kids/
• For Parents,Teachers, and Law Enforcement
• http://www.rbs2.com/copyr.htm
• http://www.education-
world.com/a_tech/tech/tech121.shtml
• http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/dmca1.htm

29. ThankYou!!
• Questions?