Internet safety is an issue that QuakerParrots.com takes very seriously. Our goal is to provide a safe and friendly environment for avian enthusiasts, young and old, who wish to share their experiences with others.

It is easy when forming new friendships to let our guard down and offer information to others that can be used to identify your personal identity as well as location. Unfortunately, in the Internet arena it is impossible to validate our members' identities, ages or other personal information.

One of the ways that QuakerParrots.com can help keep you safe is to restrict the posting of personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses etc. in our forum including the chat room. Should you decide to offer this information, please do it privately through e-mail or other avenues. It has become increasingly common for thieves to use avian forums to determine the location of certain species of birds in pet shops, homes, and breeding facilities. Please do not help them by posting any specific location publicly.

Another area of internet safety that we take very seriously is the safety of our teen and younger members of the forum. Please help us keep them and all of our forum members safe by reporting any activity you deem to be suspicious to a forum moderator.

There are many websites that can be found by searching “internet safety” that offer many Internet safety tips. Please take some time to make yourself aware of just how dangerous the Internet can be and start utilizing the tips that are offered.

Some Internet safety tips from WiredSafety.org:

• NEVER give personal information to anyone you have not met in person. While it is human nature to want to know about the other person, their name, age, what they look like, where they live, this information is not needed to carry on a conversation. If someone presses you for this type of information, back away! Especially if the requests come early in your relationship. Most users with legitimate intentions will realize WHY you are reluctant to tell them, and will respect your desire to play it safe.
• NEVER agree to meet someone you have only met online unless you have a mutual friend that could possibly vouch for them.
• If you are under the age of 18 NEVER meet up with someone you have only met online unless your parents not only know who this person is, but agree to go along with you to the meeting.
• If you feel you just must meet a new online acquaintance, NEVER go alone, and ALWAYS meet in a very public place like a popular coffee shop, a busy shopping mall, or similar place.
• Choose your screen name carefully. Never include your real name, or any elements of it. Choose something fun, yet gender neutral. You may think that having a risqué screen name is cute, but be advised, you will attract the type of people your screen name appeals to. A screen name such as “Panda” is much less provocative than “SexMagnet”. And much less offensive to many of your fellow netizens.
• Resist the urge to ‘tell people off’ or engage in ‘flame wars’. People come in all temperaments, and as in real life, there are those who will try to provoke you into an argument. This type of activity is becoming all too common online these days. Many people feel power through the anonymity that the keyboard gives them. Therefore, if you encounter someone who is rude in online chats, ignore them, back away! Most importantly, resist the urge to strike back at them. This type of person craves the attention their behavior brings them. Deprived of this attention, most either quit acting like jerks, or else move on. Either way, you have avoided a confrontation that can quickly escalate into a full-fledged harassment situation.
• Remember your Netiquette and be nice!

Additional Resources:

FBI's Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
GetNetWise.org
Internet Safety Awareness