Online safety - my shared experience - And how to stay safe. 💙💛🍭
I'd like to share something from my personal life that taught me alot when it comes to internet safety.
When I was 14 social media was new to me, I followed my friends and downloaded the same apps they did and overall we had a great time online. I was added by someone who I didnt recognise, they said they lived in the same area I did and his parents were friends with my parents. I had no reason to question this? (: So we got to talking, more and more, getting closer and friendlier and I couldnt go a day without speaking to him. After a few months of talking we agreed to finally meet up, I was really excited to finally meet him..
It turns out the guy wasnt the one in the pictures he was sending me, He recognised me straight away and started waving and calling my name.. I freaked out, luckily I got him to agree to meet in a coffee shop, and I had a few friends walking around the town who could come find me if I needed them.. I walked out called my friends and blocked the guy immediately. who knows what could've happened... I felt so stupid....
I think the moral of the story is that whilst being online is great and most of the time innocent and friendly we have to remember that sometimes people arent who they say they are... Or that what they are saying is even true... Sadly some people are great manipulators, they will come up with amazing stories about stuff that isnt true just for the attention and your sympathy.... And as a big softie I run to their aide 🤦♀️... Its important to step back look at the situation from outside your perspective and question... "Does everything seem right here"?
Heres a few rules I now live by (:
- Be careful who you trust online and remember that some online ‘friends’ are really strangers.
- Keep your personal information secret when completing your profile or chatting online (name, address, telephone number, mobile number, private email address, picture), even if people ask for this.
- Remember that you can always log out to avoid unwelcome situations, or change your screen name.
- Do not hesitate to block people you do not want to chat to.
- Think before you answer private messages.
- Take action if you think your friends are at risk.
- Learn how to keep/save a copy of the conversation in chat – this may be useful if you want to report something.
- Report people breaking the rules to the moderators.
I hope this helps wonderful people.. remember to stay safe! And keep do everything you can to keep your most personal information as close to you as possible 💙💛
Love and hugs
Mol 💙💛 xoxo
@Angelx28 @CalmingMermaid5761 @pebble7447 @sofiastardust @Imlistening01 @Jessrabbit7 @emily328 @whenitsdarklookforstars @Heather225 @Power
@cheerfulIceCream
post** 🥲
Aww thank you cheerful 🥲 I was really nervous pressing post as I was worried about the quality, but yours and other peoples kind words really mean a lot! 💙💛
@MollyT
Thank you so very much for creating this forum post! 
Thank you for sharing, being vulnerable here with us all. I imagine that could have been hard to do, to relive it, talk about it again. But you have given of yourself and shared of your experiences in an effort to help us all, help to keep us all safe, make better choices and to spend a moment living vicariously through you! *high fives* and big *hugs*
@SparkyGizmo
aww thank you so much gizmo! :'D 💙💛
@MollyT
First forum thread and such an awesome one ! Way to go Molly !
Thankyou for raising awareness about online safety through sharing your personal experience and the great tips . I am sorry for what you experienced but so glad you took it as a lesson and also empowered others about the same !
online safety is definitely one big concern for which any and all awareness is needed, I appreciate you taking out the time and putting in the efforts for this. ❤ @MollyT
yay sun! Thank you so much for reading and commenting 😀 I’m overwhelmed with the love I’ve been shown on this post thank you 💙💛
Thank you for sharing your story because we can sometimes forget how easily we can become prey. Just the need to feel wanted can make us put our guard down and want to believe what someone tells us. That’s when it is most dangerous I believe . When we are craving for someone’s attention, we want to believe what they say.
Thank you for reading and commenting Turtle. I agree with you! 💙💛
Hey Molly thanks so much for sharing your experience with us and the tips that you gave my own point. The internet can be a great friend but it can also be your enemy. There are people who are able to manipulate to get into your personal life and affairs. It's really like playing Russian roulette if you start talking to someone they seem okay but you're really taking your life into your own hands. You must be careful with people that we meet on the internet. There are a lot of relationships that have been truthful and honest and worked out wonderfully. But more and more everyday predators are getting innocent people tangled up in their will. Like Miley said be very careful everyone!
@msvee2021 Fantastically put!! (: thank you so much for your amazing contribution! And thank you for reading! (: 💙💛
