Bay of Isles Computers Support and Technical Tips - Chat Rooms & Instant Messaging

Bay of Isles Computers

63B Dempster Street
Esperance WA 6450

Ph: 08 9071 5542
Fax: 08 9071 5549

boic@boic.net.au

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What Do I need to know about the Chat Rooms
or using Instant Messaging?

Thanks to Microsoft - Nov 2001

Internet chat rooms can be home to some of the most exciting conversations taking place today, but it is important to remember that things are not always what they seem. Someone can claim to be tall, dark, and handsome even if they're short, fair, and rather plain looking. Indeed, some visitors to chat rooms are men masquerading as women, women masquerading as men, married people posing as singles, young posing as old, old posing as young.

Also keep in mind that many chat rooms are filled with people who spend more time listening than chatting. You may find yourself in a compelling conversation with two or three other people, but five or six people beyond that may be listening. And because chat rooms are considered public places, others can save and print your conversations.

Similarly, "instant messaging" programs such as MSN Instant Messenger are exciting Internet applications. The same common sense should apply to "instant" conversations: be careful how much personal information you reveal while on-line. Also, be careful in setting up your personal profile for your instant messaging account. All participants in the messaging system can see this information--do not post any information you want to keep private. Finally, as many messaging systems allow file swapping among computers, make sure you have current anti-virus software installed.

Ways to avoid problems in Chat Rooms

Microsoft is an organizing partner of GetNetWise, a site devoted to helping kids and families learn to use the Internet safely. GetNetWise offers five suggestions to help families help kids avoid problems in chat rooms:

Do not let your children chat in unmoderated chat rooms. Only allow them into rooms run by a reputable company or organization that monitors activity.
Instruct your children never to give out personal information in a chat room.
Instruct your children never to agree to get together with anyone they meet in a chat room without first checking with you.
Talk with your children about the way some people behave in chat rooms. Remind them that people are not always who they seem to be. Remind them to be very careful about people who offer easy solutions to difficult problems or make offers that sound too good to be true.
Consider using software to block sensitive personal information from being transmitted through your children's chat.

Internet support

What Do I need to know about the Chat Rooms or using Instant Messaging?

What Do I need to know about the Chat Rooms
or using Instant Messaging?