There are several ways in which electronic communications such as e-mail and cell phones can expose you to harmful situations or harmful people. As a family medicine physician, I try to emphasize the importance of personal safety to each of my patients. Listed below are strategies to help protect you and your friends from harm.

Do not talk to strangers (online or in person).

• Do not get in a car with a stranger. Create a family password or "secret word" with your parents that must be used if someone other than a parent plans to pick up you from school or an activity.
  
• Do not fall for a sympathetic story. If a stranger tells you to "help me find my puppy" or "come with me, your mom is in the hospital," politely say "no" and walk away.

Use technology responsibly.
• Never communicate on the Internet, cell phones or through text messages with people that you or your parents do not know.
• Follow your parents' guidelines for using the Internet; they want to keep you safe.

Do not keep abuse a secret!

• Remember that it is never OK to hit or be hit by anyone.
  
• Report abuse to a parent, teacher, the police or your doctor. Get help any way you can. No matter what an abuser may say, you must have the courage to tell someone if you are being hurt or inappropriately touched. It is the only way it will stop.
  Abuse is never acceptable. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

If you ever need help or feel that you are not safe, tell a parent, teacher, counselor or physician. There is always someone that can help you and wants to help you.

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