Before You Chat: 5 Things To Keep In Mind

When you think about chatting on the web, the temptation is to just jump right in-you're anxious to meet new friends and share your life's stories, right? Like most things, though, it's prudent to give some thought to what you're about to get into...

If you want to save yourself some time and trouble, here are 5 things to consider before you start gabbing online:

1. Decide where you're going to chat. With so many options available-everything from general chat rooms to subject specific chats-it's a good idea to decide beforehand what you want to chat about so you don't waste time in the wrong places.
2. Learn the lingo. Chatting online involves the use of emoticons and acronyms-familiarize yourself with these and you'll have an easier time communicating in chat rooms.
3. Chat Rooms are public. When you're chatting online, remember that it's akin to speaking in the public square. Think very carefully about what you're going to say, in other words.
4. Read the privacy policy. Some sites will ask you to register and provide personal details before they'll let you participate in chats. Read their privacy policy or terms of service to find out what they do with your private information. Don't like their policies? Move on and chat somewhere else!
5. Educate yourself about the security risks. This is the most important item on the list. The US-CERT (United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team) web site, for example, provides tips on using instant messaging and chat rooms safely that you should read before you chat online.

Chatting can be fun and safer when you remember these simple tips!