Social networking describes a variety of services like YouTube, MySpace, LiveJournal, Twitter and online games such as World of Warcraft and RuneScape.

Social networking sites are a great way to stay in touch with your friends and family.

You can post information about yourself and display photos, tell everyone what you’ve been up to, play games and basically just hang out.

There are dangers. Bullying, people making inappropriate contact, over-the-top advertising campaigns, identity theft, scams and possible exposure to adult content can make places like these risky, but if you play it smart you can stay safe online.

Keep personal information secret

Make sure you don’t put any personal information on your profile. This includes your phone number, personal email address, home or school addresses, sports teams or the name of your school. Be careful when you post photos that they don’t include any of this information either.

It’s public!

Remember that you may feel that you are just talking to friends, but the whole world could be tuning in. Keep an eye on what’s being posted and guard your privacy! Don’t post photos that you might not want strangers to see.

Check out the features

Learn how to make your profile and other content you post public or private. You’re the one in control here. Think twice! Posts to blogs and profiles can stay there forever. Your parents, future employers (and perhaps your children) may end up seeing it.

Remember – not everyone is who they claim to be.

Although it’s great to have lots of online friends, including them on your friends list allows people you don’t know to see all about you. This information could be used for a scam, to steal your identity, or worse.

Be considerate, be yourself, but play it nice

Only post comments you would be happy to receive yourself. Don’t post photos of other people without their permission. Remember, when you post photos you might be hurting the privacy of your friends too.