If you have ever gone on the Internet, you have probably in some way run into “Internet Creeps.” Personally, I live on the Internet. That’s not an understatement. Having a YouTube Channel, I keep my life very open, which I don’t mind- at least I didn’t until I had some kid asking to marry me on one of my open apps, Kik. If you haven’t heard of it, Kik is an app on your phone that allows you talk to random people without the exchange of phone numbers. I had one to talk to fangirls like me (I wrote the “5 Reasons Why It’s OK to Love One Direction in College” article). I ended up getting creepy dudes asking me for “pics.” I immediately deleted the app; it just wasn’t worth it anymore.
Whether the creep is a 40-year-old man in a forum or even one of your high school “friends” on Facebook, they are present and difficult to deal with. Here are some tips on how to deal with Internet creeps!
If it is someone you DON’T know:
– Ignore them! It is the easiest way!
– Can’t ignore them? Report them! Most websites have a report button (especially if you are in a forum!) and if you need a reason, just explain that the person has made you feel uncomfortable.
– Make a copy of what the “creeper” is saying to you, just in case anything needs to be taken to the police. (This is not extreme – it’s smart.)
– They still won’t leave you alone? Delete your account on whatever website/app you are on. It’s better to remove yourself from the problem than to try to get the problem to move away from you!
– If the person follows you to another website or app, report them to the police. (This is where your copies of what they said to you will come in handy!)
Stalking is scary and is nothing you should handle alone. If you don’t want to go to the police right away, let an older adult or family member know what is happening.
If it is someone you DO know:
– There is Facebook creeping and then there is FACEBOOK CREEPING! Facebook is meant to be a comfortable website for you to share photos and stories with your friends and family. If you feel like someone is taking that a little too far, try talk to him or her.
– Don’t feel comfortable talking to them? Then you probably shouldn’t have them on your friends list anyway, so hit that unfriend button!
– Unfriending didn’t work because your friends who are still friends with the creep are putting up pictures of you? Block them. It may seem a tad dramatic, but it will make you feel safer!
The Internet is a great resource for meeting amazing people and learning about the world in ways you never thought possible; all that aside, just make sure you are safe. Internet safety may seem like nothing, but you are the only one who controls what the public sees! Stay safe and happy searching!
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