We want everyone who visits the DOLLY website to have fun and feel safe. Unfortunately there are people who use the internet, particularly websites like the DOLLY website, to harm kids.
You should be aware that some people in chatrooms and on message boards may not be who they say they are. You can't hear them or see them so you don't really know if they are telling the truth.
Have a look below for advice on how best to protect yourself and make sure your online experience is fun and exciting, as it should be!
This guide is for younger users of the DOLLY Website but the advice may be just as applicable to adult users. Remember these points and enjoy yourself!
Don’t meet up with strangers
Look out for people on message boards who try to get you to meet up with them. If someone contacts you on the DOLLY website and asks you to meet with them, you should always say no. You don’t know who they really are and they may be telling you lies. If someone is really persistent with their requests to meet up, warning bells should go off. Don’t trust them.
If you really are determined to meet in person with someone you met online, you should tell your parents or a trusted adult and ask them to come along with you. You shouldn’t ever go alone.
Keep your personal life private
Don’t write things on the DOLLY message boards or chat rooms that you wouldn’t tell the world.
When you write things on message boards, you are publishing to the whole world! Of course, you can create a user name that hides your identity, but people still might recognise you from the things that you write.
Keep your message posts general and non-specific because you can still have fun and talk to other people without telling them everything.
Keep your identity protected
We recommend you use a nickname - not your real nickname or pet's name. Come up with a new and exciting name to use on the message board and in the chatroom.
Also, you should never give out the following information about yourself or others:
- Your name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Mobile number
- E-mail address
- School name
- Log-in password
Think about your friends and family. You should make sure you don't give out any information about them as well.
Let someone at home know if you are feeling uncomfortable online
Remember, you are in control. If somebody is starting to bother you and is sending you nasty messages, you should never respond. Print the message off and tell your parents, guardian, teacher or any other adult you trust. You can also log off if you feel uncomfortable.
You don’t have to put up with other people being nasty at school, home or anywhere and the Internet is no different. We never want these kind of people using our websites so please e-mail us at customer.service@ninemsn.com.au and tell us about the nasty messages and who they came from.
Don't open junk mail
If you get messages from people you don't know, then you should delete them. You should not read them and you should never reply, even to say you don't want to receive more messages. You should also tell your parents or a trusted adult.
If you've signed up to be a member of DOLLY, you'll get messages from us about your favourite celebrities and perhaps some others we think you'll like. You’ll know the message is from us so you’ll also know it is safe.
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