You Never Know Who You Are Talking to Online

I was sixteen, so was he. He played football, went to a public high school, and loved to write. We talked for a year and I forgot about him. A year later I contacted him again. He had forgotten about me. When I confronted him the story had changed. He was twenty and in college. This was my first experience with an online relationship. The entire year had been lies. I was dumb, so very dumb. I trusted him. There were times we talked about meeting. He knew the name of my school, my town, my family.

So, you think you know your online buddy? I run a forum for teenagers and I am constantly warning them about handing out personal information. They joke and say, "For all we know Matti, you are a forty year old man." I don't think the jokes are funny. The truth? I've never told them my real name. No, I'm not a forty year old man, but for all they know...I am.

Most likely, if you are a teenager then you have access to instant messengers or chat rooms. Just remember that when a stranger approaches you, play it safe. Keep your last name, address, and phone number private. You would not give that information to a stranger walking down the road, so don't give it to an online stranger. If you receive an email or PM that is upsetting, ask for help. Sometimes when we are young there are problems we are not capable of handling. Don't try to do it alone. Find an adult in your life who you can talk to.

Never meet someone you do not know. Online buddies are not the same as real-life friends. You get online and feel like you are getting to know someone. You talk about your personal live. Maybe they help you through a difficult situation. Soon, you have a feeling of closeness to this new friend. That doesn't mean that meeting these people is a good idea. You could be putting yourself in danger. If someone asks to meet you, talk to that adult again and take their advice.

You tell yourself that it will never happen to you. You trick yourself into believing that the person you are talking to is 16, tall, dark, and handsome. Pretend that he is not sixteen. Picture that the person chatting with you is a 55-year-old man who just got out of prison. Why would you do something like that? For all you know, that is who is really sitting in the chatroom with you. Don't be dumb, play it safe.

I was sixteen, so was he. He played football, went to a public high school, and loved to write. We talked for a year and I forgot about him. A year later I contacted him again. He had forgotten about me. When I confronted him the story had changed. He was twenty and in college. This was my first experience with an online relationship. The entire year had been lies. I was dumb, so very dumb. I trusted him. There were times we talked about meeting. He knew the name of my school, my town, my family.

So, you think you know your online buddy? I run a forum for teenagers and I am constantly warning them about handing out personal information. They joke and say, "For all we know Matti, you are a forty year old man." I don't think the jokes are funny. The truth? I've never told them my real name. No, I'm not a forty year old man, but for all they know...I am.

Most likely, if you are a teenager then you have access to instant messengers or chat rooms. Just remember that when a stranger approaches you, play it safe. Keep your last name, address, and phone number private. You would not give that information to a stranger walking down the road, so don't give it to an online stranger. If you receive an email or PM that is upsetting, ask for help. Sometimes when we are young there are problems we are not capable of handling. Don't try to do it alone. Find an adult in your life who you can talk to.

Never meet someone you do not know. Online buddies are not the same as real-life friends. You get online and feel like you are getting to know someone. You talk about your personal live. Maybe they help you through a difficult situation. Soon, you have a feeling of closeness to this new friend. That doesn't mean that meeting these people is a good idea. You could be putting yourself in danger. If someone asks to meet you, talk to that adult again and take their advice.

You tell yourself that it will never happen to you. You trick yourself into believing that the person you are talking to is 16, tall, dark, and handsome. Pretend that he is not sixteen. Picture that the person chatting with you is a 55-year-old man who just got out of prison. Why would you do something like that? For all you know, that is who is really sitting in the chatroom with you. Don't be dumb, play it safe.