Ustream Safety Tips
(see tips for Parents below)
Ustream makes it easy to express yourself, connect with friends and make new ones, but please remember that what you post publicly could embarrass you or expose you to danger. Here are some common sense guidelines that you should follow when using Ustream:
- Don't forget that your profile and Ustream forums are public spaces. Don't post anything you wouldn't want the world to know (e.g., your phone number, address, IM screens name, or specific whereabouts). Avoid posting anything that would make it easy for a stranger to find you, such as where you hang out every day after school.
- People aren't always who they say they are. Be careful about adding strangers to your friends list. It's fun to connect with new Ustream friends from all over the world, but avoid meeting people in person whom you do not fully know. If you must meet someone, do it in a public place and bring a friend or trusted adult.
- Harassment, hate speech and inappropriate content should be reported. If you feel someone's behavior is inappropriate, react. Talk with a trusted adult, or report it to Ustream or the authorities.
- Don't post anything that would embarrass you later. Think twice before posting a photo or info you wouldn't want your parents or boss to see!
- Don't mislead people into thinking that you're older or younger. If you are under 14 and pretend to be older, customer service will delete your profile. If you are over 18 and pretend to be a teenager to contact underage users, customer service will delete your profile.
- Don’t get hooked by a phishing scam. Phishing is a method used by fraudsters to try to get your personal information, such as your username and password, by pretending to be a site you trust.
To learn more please visit these other resources:
- OnGuard Online: FTC safety tips
- Netsmartz.org
- SafeTeens.com
- WebWiseKids.org
- BlogSafety.Com
- Common Sense Media
- SafeFamilies.org
TIPS FOR PARENTS
For teens, Ustream is a popular online hangout because the site makes it easy for them to express themselves and keep in touch with their friends.
As a parent, please consider the following guidelines to help your children make safe decisions about using online communities.
- Talk to your kids about why they use Ustream, how they communicate with others and how they represent themselves on Ustream.
- Kids shouldn't lie about how old they are. Ustream members must be 14 years of age or older. We take extra precautions to protect our younger members and we are not able to do so if they do not identify themselves as such. Ustream will delete users whom we find to be younger than 14, or those misrepresenting their age.
- Ustream is a public space. Members shouldn't post anything they wouldn't want the world to know (e.g., phone number, address, IM screen name, or specific whereabouts). Tell your children they should avoid posting anything that would make it easy for a stranger to find them, such as their local hangouts.
- Remind them not to post anything that could embarrass them later or expose them to danger. Although Ustream is public, teens sometimes think that adults can't see what they post. Tell them that they shouldn't post photos or info they wouldn't want adults to see.
- People aren't always who they say they are. Ask your children to be careful about adding strangers to their friends list. It's fun to connect with new Ustream friends from all over the world, but members should be cautious when communicating with people they don't know. They should talk to you if they want to meet an online friend in person, and if you think it's safe, any meeting should take place in public and with friends or a trusted adult present.
- Harassment, hate speech and inappropriate content should be reported. If your kids encounter inappropriate behavior, let them know that they can let you know, or they should report it to Ustream or the authorities.
- Don’t get hooked by a phishing scam. Phishing is a method used by fraudsters to try to get your personal information, such as your username and password, by pretending to be a site you trust
Email remove@ustream.tv to remove your childs profile from Ustream.
