Personal information includes your name, the names of friends or family, your address, phone number, school name. It also includes pictures of yourself and your e-mail address.

You can't tell when a male pretends to be a female online or a 50 year old pretends to be a 12 year old online. People online may not send their own photographs either. Do not be fooled by pictures that your so-called “online friends” send you.

Never tell anyone your password except your parents or guardians. Your password is for your own protection, giving strangers your password could be really harmful. If someone calls and says they’re with an online service or your Internet Service Provider and need your password, get their name and number and e-mail address. Call the service and ask if such a person works there and whether they allow employees to ask for passwords.

There are now services that rate web sites for content as well as filtering programs and browsers that empower parents to block the types of sites they consider to be inappropriate. These programs work in different ways. Some block sites that are known to contain objectionable material. Some prevent users from entering certain types of information such as their name and address. Other programs keep your kids away from chat rooms or restrict their ability to send or read E-mail.

Be polite to others online just as you would offline. If someone treats you rudely or meanly - do not respond. Online bullies are just like offline ones - they WANT you to answer (don't give them the satisfaction).

Delete strange e-mails. DO NOT open e-mails from strangers. E-mails from strangers could contain malicious codes (Viruses, Worms, Trojans etc.) that would be harmful to your computer. If in doubt, ask your parents, guardian or another adult.

While surfing the Internet, if you find something that you don't like, that makes you feel uncomfortable or scares you, turn off the computer and talk about it to an adult.

Give yourself a break; don’t stay online for too long. Spend time with your family and friends off line.

The contracts and user policies on websites are aimed at laying down guidelines for your use of the website. Read the same with your parents and ask them to explain the implications of those contracts to you. This will help you and your parents understand issues of safety on the Internet.

Do not copy things from websites to use for anything, unless you have the Webmaster’s permission.

Never arrange to meet with someone you met online unless your parents go with you. If you are meeting them make sure it is in a public place and you are accompanied by your parents or a guardian.

Everything you read online may not be true. Any offer that seems to be "too good to be true" probably is. Be very careful about any offers that involve your coming to a meeting or having someone visit your house.

Spend time teaching your parents about your online activities – show them your favourite sites let them watch you use the Internet.

Keep them involved in your online activities. They may feel happy to know that you are secure while using the Internet.

Some sites that offer free “virus development kits” and "Trojans" actually cause harm to your computer by planting a virus or Trojan in your computer.

Never visit these sites and also discourage your friends from doing the same.