Joining a chat room is a great way to have fun and make new friends. But because you can’t see or hear the people you talk to in chat rooms, it’s easier for people to lie about who they are. 

For example, they may be men who are a lot older than you and be lying about their age. Paedophiles use young people’s chat rooms because they know they cannot be easily identified. 

If you think someone in a chat room is lying about who they are, then email the person who’s in charge of the chat room. You should also warn your friends and never use that chat room again. 

Don’t get too paranoid about chatting online. But just as you need to be aware on the streets, you need to be aware when you’re using the Internet.

How to stay safe in chat rooms

• Don't use your real name.
• Don’t lie about your age.
• Don't give out your email address, mobile number, home address or school address.
• Don't post your photo in a chat room.
• Use public chat rooms, not private, where there are only two people.
• Don’t agree to meet up with anyone you’ve met in a chat room unless you can take one of your parents/carers.

Make sure your friends are safe

• Tell them not to meet up with anyone they have met in a chatroom.
• Tell them not to give out personal details.
• Support them and encourage them to tell someone about what is happening.