Welcome to the World of Blogs

Blogging, and online profiles are becoming increasingly popular in our advancing society of modern technology. As computers and the Internet become more available for people across the planet, these forms of diaries, and journals are ever increasing in numbers.
Essentially online journals and diaries, used to post or upload your thoughts, memories and images, blogs are replacing the diary one used to lock and hide away. They open your inner most thoughts to anyone on the World Wide Web, bringing you into contact with people you believe you can relate to. Blogs are also becoming the homes of images and personal information posted in the profiles.
A profile is essentially a webpage that tells the world what you wish to tell them about yourself. Your name, age, nationality…some people use profiles and blogs to promote their bands and businesses, as well as their art.
Blogs are often a part of a large community, like LiveJournal or Myspace. People from all over the world can view your page if it is accessible by the public, leave comments and opinions, and essentially become an online friend.

The Dangers of Blogs

It is common knowledge that the Internet is filled with danger. However, some parents and teens aren’t fully aware of just how many risks and issues there are. Online blogs and profiles just add more fuel to the flames.
Many bloggers choose to reveal personal information in their profiles, which put them at serious risk, especially when they are young naïve girl. Adding pictures and vlogs (video blogs), is even more dangerous.
Police have been monitoring many of the online blogging sites under false identities, hoping to catch some of the countless online predators that are lurking in the shadows of cyber space. Despite their efforts, the numbers of victims from online predators is ever increasing.
Thanks to the animosity of the Internet, and vast items you can access online, many predators will take on fake identities. They may play the role of a young, nice looking man, or at times woman, but in truth is a 40-year-old pedophile preying on 12-year-old girls. You can never tell what someone is truly saying online, and at times even pictures lie. Thanks to facebook and many other photo and image uploading sites, the predators can easily adopt and new appearance.
Identity theft is also increasing online. People steal other images and names, claim to be them and can cause serious issues. You also have to deal with people being able to hack into your computer system, and the spread of viruses from emails sent to people met online through blogging.
Another danger that not many people may think of is that ignorant people who know no better take many of the blogs as fact. Most of the time, blog are places were people voice /their own opinions/ on certain subjects and matters. It’s very difficult to take anything online at face value unless it comes form an institute or organization. This can cause quite a lot of issues.

Keeping Safe

Keeping yourself while blogging online is much simpler than many people believe. Unless you’re using the blog to promote your business, band, or something of the likes you should withhold any personal information that can give away your location. Don’t use your real full name, your real age, and if you upload pictures, try to make sure that the people who are accessing these pictures are people you know in /real life. /
The safest thing to do is just not have a blog, but in this technological world, who doesn’t have at least one? Make an alternate email address for your blogs, so people can’t find your name on your email or other personal information that could be dangerous for others to know.
Never agree to meet someone you’ve met online alone. Talk to your parents and friends, have someone come with you if you are sure of the person’s true identity and want to meet them face-to-face. If the person insists that you go alone, you should realize that there is obviously something that they’re hiding. Never put your full trust in someone you’ve never met in real life. No one is what he or she seems on the Internet.

When uploading images that will be viewed by the public of cyber space, make sure there isn’t anything in the photo that could give away your location. If you happen to be in a school uniform, blur out the school crest. Blur out signposts…. Just small simple things that could tell someone your location.

Parents, who have teens or children using blogs, make regular checks to monitor what they are putting on the Internet. They may resent you for invading their privacy, but in the end it will be safer. Make sure that your kids know that they can come to you to talk about things that have happened online, and don’t alienate them.

Simple things that most disregard are what will keep you safe.