Common Sense Chatting

• Anything you type in a chat room can be seen by everyone who is using that chat room so be careful what you type. In cyberspace the walls don't so much have ears as eyes. 
• Never use a computer that does not belong to you for chatting, whether a housemate, at work, library or university.
• Choose an non identifiable, non gender specific screen name (and keep it clean!) Don't go with a name that is just rude, crude, vile, and out-right obnoxious Want trouble? Use a name that's guaranteed to get it for you. Names like Vegas Babe or anything ending with "Babe" is a sure invitation you'll get attention - whether you want it or not. Don't "go there" with handles, not only will they earn you undesired attention, but in a lot of cases, they break down the levels of the other people in the site by leading newcomers to conclude that if there's one "Hot" person in the room, they're all "hot". Don't do that to the others, don't do it to yourself.  Also do not post your real first name on your MSN hotmail profile.  
• Example, "Vegas Babe" 
• Never give out any personal information while chatting online . That means your real name, telephone or cell phone number, mailing address, passwords, banking details etc. 
• Example name the State or Country but never reveal the city you live in 
• Never accept files or downloads from people you don't know or from people you do know, if you weren‘t expecting them. This includes URLs.
• Never agree to meet a stranger in person whom you only know through chat room conversations. Considering that this relationship maybe over a long distance the chances of you meeting the other person are almost next to none. 
• Example meeting someone from the UK or any other country.
•  Don’t send mean chat messages, get involved in chat room arguments (flaming) or incite others to do so.  Or use MSN Messenger at the same time in a chat room telling other chatters what to say or do in a chat room.
• Do not call other chatters by their first name. 
• Be wary of other chatters who ask you to meet in private chat rooms
• Some chatters may attempt to scare you by showing they have an IP number for your computer. Every computer has an IP address. Every time you visit a web page or send an email you send out your IP address. Knowing this number does not enable someone to hack your computer.
• Pictures.. If you're going to put your picture on the internet, you have NO reason to believe it's going to stay where you put it. In fact, anybody can right click on an image and take it from a web site. Once you put it up, you have NO idea where it's going. Give a lot of consideration to putting your picture up, and never put a picture of yourself with anyone else without first getting their permission!
• Example a picture posted in Gripes2 of yourself and a young girl that does not have your permission to do that.
• NEVER, EVER give out your phone number! It may seem remedial to say this, but people can be strange. You may find yourself in a rather unenvious position of having to screen your calls, or being threatened or scared. Get a pager if you need to, but don't give it out!! If you want to talk on the phone, get the telephone number to a pay telephone near you, and arrange a time when you can be at that phone. Make sure the payphone you select is able to receive incoming calls. Be Safe!!
• Example typing in your cell phone number in a chat room.
• "LOVE" is not possible without physically meeting someone or spending time in getting to know them. I will not argue that infatuation is possible, or that feelings of joy, contentment and overwhelming desire are possible. But the "connection" between two people who have not met, or have spoken for less than a month online is not. Why the rush to love? These people aren't going anywhere.
•  Anyone Who tells you they love you within the first week or so of knowing you online or the son just got back from the Afganistan War is a Liar!  There, I've said it - it's out. Would you believe anyone who, in real life, told you they loved you if they'd just met you the week before? No way.
• Example Paul Newman falling in love withVegas Babe

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• Without direct honesty up front, your internet friendships are in trouble straight off. Don't lie or exaggerate now, only to be found out and looking like a fool. Both people get ripped off when you're not honest. Honesty is the number one requirement for any internet friendship or romance. 

• Example Little Abbey the toy poodle that suddenly ran away.

• Don't reveal personal details to strangers or just-met "cyber friends".

• A thousand miles away, you don't have friends-of-friends or other references about this person that you revealing personal information to.