Networking Dos & Don'ts Social Networking

You wouldn't place your personal details on a poster - so why would you post them online?

  • DO set your profile to 'Private'
    so only your friends can see it
  • DO think before you post ...
    Do you want your parents, teachers,
    the police or even future employers to read it?
  • DO consider not posting photos of yourself. 
    They can be altered and used in upsetting ways.
  • DO be cautious about posting details that
    could be used to locate you:  e.g. the name
    of your school, sports team or where you work.
  • DO check the sites's safety policies.  Find out how to report violations and how to get them removed.
  • DO show your parents your profile - even if you don't add them as friends!

  • DON'T post personal identifiers like your address, phone number, age or date of birth.
  • DON'T forget that once you post online, you can't take it back.  Deleted posts and profiles don't always stay deleted.
  • DON'T assume that people are who they say they are.  One in five Facebook profiles are fake.
  • DON'T arrange to meet new online friends in real life.  If you do, meet in a public place and go with a friend.  Tell your parents where you are going.
  • DON'T be a phishing victim.  Never open files you didn't ask for or expect and if you see suspicious links or prompts asking you to log in again - don't click them.
  • DON'T join new social networks without checking their privacy policies - some sites share your information (like your email address) with companies who send you spam.