This advice on Online Safety is from the BBC Messageboards site to which I give full credit
[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/messageboards/newguide/popup_online_safety.html

If you are reading this you may also be interested in the BBCs Religion & Ethics Message Boards [2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbreligion/
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Online Safety

People you meet online

Remember that posting a message on a message board is like making a public announcement. Everyone can see that information, not just the person you have been talking to.

Be wary

People you meet online may not be who they seem. They can post information about themselves which may not be true and encourage you to build up a picture of them which is misleading.

Never give out your contact details

This includes things like:

• Your real name.
• Postal address and postcode.
• Telephone number (including mobile).
• Email address (including Hotmail or webmail addresses).

Messages which contain contact details will be edited. If you see contact details in a message, [3] mailto:Webmaster@parishoffleet.org.uk to let us know.

Don’t give too much detail

Take care when giving out information that could help someone to locate you. This could be details of your school, home town or clubs you belong to.

Tell us if you are worried

If another user is abusive to you or makes you feel uncomfortable, you should contact us [3] mailto:Webmaster@parishoffleet.org.uk. Please explain the situation as clearly as you can, so that we can investigate.

For more information on keeping safe online visit BBCs [5] ChatGuide website