For High School Students

The Internet is a great place for schoolwork, learning, and socializing. However, it is important that you stay on top of your information, know what you are giving out, and be conscious of what you are posting on the Internet.

Social media is a great way to interact with others and make connections. If used correctly, it can be a great asset to your future, and a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family. If used incorrectly, it can hurt your reputation and image. Listed below are some tips to help you stay on the right path.

You should:

• Check all of your privacy settings. Make sure you are fully protected.

• Interact with respected influential people whom you admire on Twitter and Facebook.

• Think about admission to college; know that these schools have the potential to see anything you have posted.

• Only post information that is useful to others and does not harm anyone.

• Realize that everyone can see what you are writing. It cannot be removed from the Internet.

• Be aware that future employers will check your social media sites.

• Use social media to showcase yourself in a positive way, so that people respect you.

You should not:

• Post inappropriate pictures or statements that could offend others.

• Give out personal information such as your home address or telephone numbers.

• Interact with people that you do not know.

• Use profanity or inappropriate language; remember your pages are a reflection of you.

• Interact with people who use social media for the wrong reasons.

Besides social media, the Internet can also open up other new and exciting opportunities. Online banking and shopping are great ways to manage money and purchase items without ever leaving your home. It is always important to be careful with your money!

Here are ways to keep your funds and identity safe online:

You should:

• Use unique usernames and passwords for all of your login information.

• Use websites that are secured, you can check this by looking for the “s” at the end of the “http” (https) in the URL address or a Padlock icon in the address bar.

• Make sure your computer is properly secured with firewalls and anti-virus software.

• Know your merchant, use trusted websites. Look for the Better Business Bureau seal of approval if you are unsure of the sites safety.

You should not:

• Give out any bank information such as your debit or credit card numbers.

• Use the same password for every website.

• Shop on unknown sites.

• Ignore warning signs of a virus or spyware.

• Use open and unsecured WiFi networks when going on the Internet.

The use of cell phones and specifically texting has become one of the main ways that people communicate. It is important to realize that texting can be a hazard if a few simple safety precautions are not taken.

Texting while driving is a national epidemic, quickly becoming one of the country’s top killers. Drivers assume they can handle texting while driving and remain safe, but the numbers don’t lie.

Texting While Driving Causes:

1. 1,600,000 accidents per year – National Safety Council

2. 330,000 injuries per year – Harvard Center for Risk Analysis Study

3. 11 teen deaths EVERY DAY – Ins. Institute for Hwy Safety Fatality Facts

4. Nearly 25% of ALL car accidents

Texting While Driving Is:

1. About 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated

2. The same as driving after 4 beers – National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin.

3. The number one driving distraction reported by teen drivers

Texting While Driving:

1. Makes you 23X more likely to crash – National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin.

2. Is the same as driving blind for 5 seconds at a time – VA. Tech Transportation Institute

3. Takes place by 800,000 drivers at any given time across the country

4. Slows your brake reaction speed by 18% – HumanFactors & Ergonomics Society

5. Leads to a 400% increase with eyes off the road

These are some of the ways that you can improve your daily cyber activities. It is important to remember that the Internet is a public place; others can potentially see anything that you are doing or saying. Anything that you say or do will be somewhere on the Internet forever. Think twice before you contribute something online. You are always entitled to your opinion, and in most places, your opinion is encouraged - just make sure it is relevant and will not affect anybody negatively.

Sites related to Bullying:

https://www.stopbullying.gov/

https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it