Our Programs | How We Can Help You | Code of Student Conduct
Our Policies | FAQsOur Programs: Dot.com Dating Safety Tips
The online environment mirrors the real world in many ways, both good and bad. Because it's so easy to create a facade, an imaginary vision of who you are by typing whatever you will into an online profile, it's sometimes difficult to discern the good from the bad. There's the potential to get taken advantage of, including sexually, by others who might arrange meetings with you or make you uncomfortable online.
While the Internet is a fun and private way to "meet" new friends, get information, and learn about the world, it is also important that you use caution and avoid potential problems so you can safely enjoy being online. Here are some tips to avoid such problems:
- Never give out your home address, phone number, the
name of your school, credit cards numbers, or any other personal details
to people you don't know. People are not always what they appear
to be on the internet - spend time simply chatting and building trust
before you meet up in person. When you do feel comfortable and feel
you have made a friend, start by swapping mobile phone numbers and save
other personal information for once you've met up a few times.
- Meet chat friends in public places
where there are sure to be other people around. You may want to invite
a close friend to join you. If the person seems unwilling to meet at
a public place, then you should be suspicious and reconsider whether
you really want to meet in person.
- If you decide to talk to someone on the
phone, ask to call them. Make sure to use caller I.D. block (*67).
If they ask to call you, do not give out your phone number, especially
if it is a listed number or one that you share with your family. You
may want to provide an Internet line or a mobile phone number.
- Never go to someone's house that
you have just met. You may think they seem nice and can be trusted,
but take some time to find out for sure. Don't risk getting into a nasty
situation you can't get out of.
- Tell someone that you're on a
blind date. Let a friend know where you're going and what time you'll
be home. They can keep an eye on the time and check up on you should
you be late.
- Take a mobile phone with you if you can.
Borrow a friend's if you don't have one.
- Try and email for a week or more before meeting.
That way, if the other party is really genuine, they will be happy to
get to know you via email first. Anyone who pushes for an instant (or
even same night) visit should be treated with extreme caution and distrust.
- Use a Nickname. Protect yourself against unwanted
advances and use a gender-neutral nickname in chat rooms, discussion
groups and on message boards.
- Trust your instincts! If you pick up on contradictions
or inconsistencies from your chat friend, or something doesn't feel
right when you're talking on the phone, end the conversation.
- If you are going to be sexually active, ALWAYS practice
safer sex. Safer sex means always using a latex condom or a dental
dam, every time you have sex. This includes anal, oral, or vaginal sex.
For a much more complete discussion of safer sex, you may wish to visit:
http://shs.unc.edu/library/articles/safersex.html
- Your body is yours. You are in control of it.
If you don't want to be touched, make that known. If something starts
going farther than you like, past the point where you feel comfortable,
then speak up. If someone goes too far with you, remember that you did
not ask for it, you do not deserve it, and you have a right to respect.
If you want to, press charges.
- If you are harassed online report it. If you are harassed online or victimized by someone you have met, let someone know. You may report these incidents on campus to the Dean of Students Office at 966-4042.
Created by UNC Center for Healthy Student Behaviors, October 2001. Adapted
from information from Outproud.com.
Division
of Student Affairs
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Questions, Comments? Email us at dsa@unc.edu
