Eva’s Tips for Safe Online Friendships
Eva and Oliver had learned about creating strong passwords and usernames, but Eva was curious about making friends online. “Oliver, I want to make new friends on the internet, but how can I be sure they’re nice people?”
Oliver nodded, understanding Eva’s concerns. “It’s important to be cautious when making friends online, Eva. Let’s go over some tips for safe online friendships.”
Only add people you know: “It’s best to only add people you know in real life, like your classmates or family members, to your online friends list.”
Be cautious with strangers: “If you meet someone new online, be careful about sharing personal information. Remember that people might not always be who they say they are.”
Check privacy settings: “Make sure your privacy settings are set to protect your information. That way, only your friends can see your posts and personal details.”
Talk to an adult: “If someone online makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, tell a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult.”
Eva listened carefully and nodded, feeling more confident about making friends online.
How to Handle Cyberbullying
As Eva and Oliver continued their journey, they came across a group of characters who were making fun of another character. Eva felt sad for the character being teased and asked Oliver, “What can I do if I see someone being bullied online?”
Oliver took a deep breath and said, “Cyberbullying is a serious issue, Eva. Here’s what you can do to help:
Don’t participate: Don’t join in or encourage the bullying. Instead, be a friend and offer support to the person being targeted.
Report the bullying: Most websites and apps have a way to report bullying or inappropriate behavior. Use these tools to report the incident.
Save the evidence: Take screenshots of the bullying messages or posts. This can be helpful when reporting the incident to an adult or the website.
Tell a trusted adult: If you or someone else is being bullied online, tell a parent, teacher, or another adult you trust. They can help you deal with the situation.”
Eva felt empowered by Oliver’s advice and promised to do her part in stopping cyberbullying. With Oliver by her side, Eva continued her journey, feeling more prepared to navigate the complexities of the online world.