The Dangers of the Internet

What is the internet?

The internet is a tool we use every day to communicate, but it can be dangerous in the hands of young people who don’t know how to use it properly.

How do online dangers arise?

First, you can fall victim to fake news—those false stories circulating online that look real!
You can also catch viruses, which are computer programs that secretly install themselves on your computer; this is called hacking.
Or you might come across images or videos that make you feel uncomfortable and, for some people, are traumatic.

What kinds of online dangers are there?

There are people with bad intentions who try to steal your parents’ money, but there are other similar dangers, such as someone pretending to be your friend by hacking into their account (
) and asking for their credit card number—something you should never do. There are also people you might meet on social media or in multiplayer games who set up meetings with their “prey.” Their methods are very clever, as they’ll try to gather your personal information and gain your trust without losing it. If someone asks you to meet up, tell your parents or a trusted adult right away.