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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
If you are still unsure about chat rooms and safe Internet usage you should find the answers you are looking for in the menu opposite. You can view the information by clicking on the appropriate question.
What about other forms of Internet contact?
Internet Messaging is another very popular form of contact. You can Instantly Message a friend on the Internet in much the same way you can send a text message to their mobile phone. For Instant Messaging, both parties must agree to use the service. It works much like a chatroomChat room:
a place on the Internet that you can access through a computer or certain mobile phones. People from all over the world can communicate by typing messages to one another, and inside a chat room everyone can see what is being typed by everyone else., where you swap typed messages more or less instantly. Other people can also be invited to take part.
Gaming is one of the most popular reasons for children using the Internet and can involve communication with other gamers, like in a chatroom. Therefore all the same safety rules apply. In particular, children should avoid using their own name when choosing their 'gaming name' (the name they log on with and play under).
If your children do encounter any difficulties with other gamers, you should refer to the gaming sites' terms of service, which should clearly state ways to report violations.
NB: The same safety rules apply to all the various ways of making contact over the Internet: NO personal details, NO meeting up with anyone unless accompanied by an adult.
