Andy Camper

All there is to know about the Web:

Welcome to Andy Camper’s guide to online Adventure, a place where fun and safety march hand in hand. We know that all parents are not as “Web Savvy” as their children, but it is important to recognize the potential hazards of the online world. You can use the provided information to help your child safely navigate the Internet.

Like the majority of neighborhoods the Web is relatively safe place. However there are some darker corners that you will not want you child to visit. Therefore, Andy Camper has set up a “WEB CONTRACT” to help you and your child safely leverage the educational and entertaining aspects of the Internet. With the contract in place you can flesh out you knowledge by reviewing a handful of extra tips!

Your Web Contract… Print it! Sign it! Surf by it! Discover something new!

1. Never give out personal Information:
2. Avoid unpleasant situations:
3. Always be myself online:
4. Always stick to your time budget:
5. Always stick to my Dollar budget:
6. Always express myself, but stay in control:
7. Treat others like you want to be treated:
8. Always use common sense:
9. Always be helpful and share:
10. Always be an Active and Useful member on cyberspace:

1. Never give out personal Information
While online, don’t tell anyone anything that you wouldn’t tell a stranger. While online you do not want to lie, but at the same time do not give out information about yourself such as your phone number, your personal email address or your IM account information. Most people online are genuine in their questions but steer clear of people who ask for information about how you look or what age you are. Remember you can always close your browser and walk away.

2. Avoid unpleasant situations: Sometimes people feel as if they can hide behind the Internet and are rude to people online; it is because they feel safe. It is often tempting to be rude back to them. Please don’t do this. The nice thing about the web is you are not required to continue a conversation, you can just ignore the rude person alltogether and move on to a more interesting conversation. If this person continues you can notify the operator of the service or the site and they can help stop this activity. Don’t waste your online time with people like this. Move on.

3. Always be myself online: It is tempting to put on another face online, trying to be someone else. An “ALIAS” is what they call it. We do not recommend this. It will ruin the fun for someone else. If the other user is expecting someone or some type of person and you end up being fake, how does that make them feel? Think before you act. Try to meet people online that are like you and you will see the true value of the Internet and its tools.

4. Always stick to your time budget: Being online takes time. You think you have been online for 10 minutes and an hour has gone by. Be careful and stick to your weekly budget of time. Use it well. Remember you have a life outside discovering new activities and adventures. Make sure not to over do it. The best way to monitor yourself is to have a plan before you go online. Know where you are going and what you are looking for. Have a clock next to the computer and keep track of time. It will help to keep you moving to where you need to be. Another trick is to download your email and newsgroups to your hard drive and then logoff. It will allow you to work a little longer but not use up your online minutes. Remember to use the Web as a resource and not as a supplement for real activity. Explore and enjoy.

5. Always stick to my dollar budget: If you have arranged a budget with your parents for online shopping or downloading consider yourself lucky! Remember this is a privilege and not a right so do not abuse it. Shop wise, stay within budget and make sure the supplier has a good reputation. Inform your parents of where and what you are buying. The easiest way to set this up is with a Pay Pal account. Speak to your parents about sharing one with you. Learn more about paypal at www.paypal.com

6. Always express myself, but stay in control: One of the best things about the web is that you have a voice, and most of the time people listen except when you go over board. Everyone likes a well-made point. But no one likes to hear someone go on and on. So use your online time well and make sure the group you are talking to is in the same frame of mind as you are. Please remember if you are in an unpleasant conversation with someone, walk away.

7.Treat other users like you want to be treated: Remember these people are real, they are like your friends on your block. Treat them how you would like to be treated, invite them to join in conversations, be kind, be polite, and react as if you were standing in front of them. These relationships can be long lasting and enjoyable so treat them with respect. Remember not to give too much information away. No matter how nice they are.

8. Always use common sense: One of the biggest things about being online is that if you ask a question on almost any topic you are sure to get five different responses almost right away. The problem is they are all opinions and most of them not professional. So make sure you use common sense when reading the responses. Realize that not all people on the web are experts and not all of them know what they are talking about. Follow common sense and look for professional opinions.

9. Always be helpful and share: One of the great things about the Web is that you too have opinions and knowledge that can help others. But it is important to be helpful, not hurtful, when you express yourself.

10. Always be an Active and Useful member on cyberspace: While the Web was growing up it needed people to contribute to its development. Those people were just like you. People who love new ideas, discovering new things and enjoy sharing their thoughts. So keep that in mind when online. Get involved, and if you cannot find what you are looking for, start your own chat, website or sharing tool. Remember to follow all the online Safety guidelines but have fun and try to discover something new!


A few extra Hints and Tips you might want to read

1) Make sure they understand what each of these guidelines mean, make sure you both know there are consequences if the guidelines are not followed. It is for their safety.

2) Know that with the slip of a typed letter your child may end up in objectionable places. No matter what service you are using there always seems to be objectionable content sneaking in. Just be aware that sometimes it could be a mistake.

3) Most Web Browsers have history tabs; this shows where a browser has been. You will want to check in on your child’s surfing habits. If the history has been erased this may indicate that they are aware of doing something they should not be. You may want to consider parental guideline number 4.

4) Help Restrict access to objectionable content by putting the computer in a public spot in the house such as the kitchen or the TV room. This way they are less likely to be able to hide their online surfing habits and conversations.

5) Meet as many of their online friends a possible. This is key as most kids online tend to talk to friends they already know. This is a new version of party lines for the telephone. It is good to be aware of who they are talking to and what they are talking about.

6) Reinforce the NO personal information rule: This is one of the most dangerous issues on the Web. There are people out there will send you items in the mail, come to your house, or steal your identity. This should not scare you but make you wiser. Realize that you need to deal with Brands you know and recognize. Remember this is something that all guardians or parents are going through so ask around. If you are still having trouble Ask Ian, we can try to help out.

7) What language are they speaking? Well that is a new computer shorthand language called emoticons. It is simple to use, you just need to learn a few simple tricks. Check out this link to learn them all. You will be up and running in no time..!


8) Get Cyber Smart: the more you know, the better decisions you can make. Get involved.

Now get Online and see what there is to find, New Adventures are just a URL away!