Downloads? Away Messages? Ringtones? Miss America Answers Your Questions

Lauren Nelson, continues to bring her personal platform of Internet safety for teens here to the AMW Safety Center. Teens from around the country have turned to Lauren for her perspective about what is the safest way to keep the Internet a fun place to hang out.

Q1. Lauren, even though I know better, I responded to someone when I didn’t know them and I talked to them online. They seemed nice at first, but now they are saying embarrassing things to me and asking me where I live. I am scared that if I tell my parents, they will get mad at me. What should I do?

A1. First of all, STOP responding to this person online. Second of all, you need to tell an adult immediately. Don’t be afraid to tell your parents, even if they are a little mad, they will be proud of you for being honest with them. And remember not to talk to strangers online anymore, under any circumstances.

Q2. Is it safe to join online fan clubs for celebrities?

A2. Before joining a fan club online, make sure that it is the official fan club site for the celebrity. Have an adult read over the site to help you determine the credibility of it. Do not give out any personal information in order to join the club. Your name and email address should be all that they need.

Q3. Is it safe to download free music online?

A3. Since downloading music for free is illegal, sites that allow you to do so are usually unprotected and can put your computer at risk for viruses and hackers. Instead, listen to the radio online. Most radio stations have websites that allow you to listen to them on your computer risk-free!

Q4. There is a website that you can get ringtones for free on, but you have to put your cell phone number online so they can send them to you. Is that safe?

A4. Putting your cell phone number online is a bad idea. Free ringtone sites are probably not secure in the first place, and you do not want strangers having access to your cell phone number. Just stick to buying ringtones or using the free ones already on your phone.

Q5. When I’m not at my computer, I put away messages up on instant messenger that let my friends know what I’m doing. Is it alright to put my cell phone number in away messages in case someone needs to talk to me?

A5. It is NEVER safe to display personal information about yourself online. Anyone who needs to get in touch with you that badly probably already has your cell phone number. If they don’t, they can ask someone who already has your number to tell them, or they can look up your home number in a phone book.

Stay Safe,

Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson