You asked us: Staying safe online
CLBC will launch icanbesafeonline.com on June 30, 2011.
CLBC’s “You Asked Us” column featres CLBC staff answering your questions about CLBC supports, services and initiatives. This month, Lisa Porcellato, Social Media Advisor for CLBC, who is working with Policy and Program Development’s Safeguards Initiative, answers your questions about staying safe online.
Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter provide a welcome opportunity for people to make friends, meet people with similar interests and engage in community activities regardless of geographic location. CLBC is committed to providing the skills, knowledge and understanding to help the individuals we support and their family members stay safe online.
1. Why is it important not to share your password with people?
Your password is the door to your private life. Sharing your password is like giving away the keys to your house. Keeping your password private means that you are in control of what you share on sites. If people have your password they can go onto your Facebook page and post things that are not said by you but they can also have access to other online places that could put you in harm’s way.
2. What is a “checker friend” and what do they do?
A checker friend is someone you trust who will make sure you are safe online. They should be your friend on Facebook or follow you on Twitter so they can make sure that you are not sharing information with someone who may cause you harm or who makes your checker friend feel uncomfortable. It’s all about being safe! Sometimes we need someone else to keep an eye on things to make sure we are being safe online.
3. Should you say ‘yes’ to every friend request you get?
We all know it’s hard to say ‘no’ to someone’s face. I think we bring that fear into our online lives. Un-following someone or not accepting a friend request doesn’t automatically mean, “I don’t like you,” it simply means that you are in control of your online life. If you don’t know someone who sends you a friend request, then they are not a friend.
4. What things are too private to post online?
Don’t share your home or work address, your phone numbers and your credit card numbers. Discuss with others what you want to keep private – even a trusted friend may accidently share your information. Important medical information and your physical health are private – this is not a good thing to share with others.
5. What do you do to make sure you don’t let being on the computer take over your life?
I love being on the Internet but I also love to hang out with my friends and family. I make sure that I don’t get caught up with being online by staying focused on what I am supposed to be doing on the computer. When I am done, I turn the computer off. There is nothing like being with friends and family sharing good food and laughing together. You sure can’t do that on the computer!
6. How is CLBC helping people to be safe online?
On June 30, 2011, CLBC will be launching icanbesafeonline.com, a fun and easy-to-use website that educates adults with developmental disabilities and their families, about how to stay safe when using the Internet. This is the only site of its kind in Canada and I am really excited about it!
CLBC recognizes adults with developmental disabilities and their families want to enjoy the Internet and take full advantage of what it has to offer. We have created icanbesafeonline.com to encourage people to stay in control and to understand what to do if they feel at risk. The website will feature online safety tips, videos, quizzes and a blog. There will also be a section specifically for families and service providers so they can learn the information they need to know to help people with developmental disabilities be as safe as they can be when they are online.
