How to be a Responsible Internet User

     With the advent of the Internet, the world seems to be getting smaller. With just a few taps on the keyboard and the clicks with the mouse, the world is in our hands. Gone are the days when we have to spend hours to scan through the heavy and thick books in the library for knowledge. snail mails are even getting out of fashion. This is how influential and powerful the Internet is in the twenty-first century. While this network has a wealth of information to offer, we must always exercise caution when it comes about obtaining  and receiving information, especially those which are personal and confidential.

     Here is the question: what should you do to be a responsible Internet user?

     First and foremost, you need to obtain your parents' consent before using the Internet. At the same time, you have to explain the purpose of using it. Internet is a media to obtain  information and knowledge, but definitely not for pure entertainment. thus, there is no point to get plugged in front of the so-called "idiot box" for long, unless if you choose to while away hours by playing online games and social networking to no end. If you spend too much time on the Net, not only that your studies and social life will suffer, but your health will be jeopardized as well. In the year 2010, there was a Taiwanese who died of cardiac arrest after playing games on Facebook for four consecutive days without stopping. Thus, either restrict time online, or pay your life!

     Next, do not reveal personal information to online acquaintances. It is better to stay anonymous when you are logged on to social websites. In fact, any Internet user is highly prone to online predators, hackers and sexual maniacs. They are always in the lookout for confidential information, such as details on where you live, when you go to school, your appearance and cellphone number Once they obtained enough personal information, they will lure you meet up with them and take advantage on you. It is good to share information with anyone whom you know in reality, but as Internet users, you can encounter strangers frequently as well! As the saying goes, "better safe than sorry".

     Besides that, you must be wary of online activities which involve money. This is due to the emergence of thousands of phishing sites, initiated to rip users off. In the first three months of 2011, it is estimated that around RM4 million was cheated from phishers in Malaysia. In such case, you have to be wary of online transactions. Although online shopping and banking, are very convenient for busy modern citizens, there is no guaranteed method to perform transactions safely in the Internet. Hence, you should always verify that the website is genuine before you key in your credit card or bank account number, so that any personal data and money do not fall to the wrong hands.

     False advertising, which is very common in the virtual world today, is also another form of internet fraud which you have to keep an eye on. It is often found at websites and chain e-mails, where most people find it rather annoying. Do not fall for online gimmicks which usually showcase offers which are too good to be true. Otherwise, you will risk disclosing personal information or being ripped off. Next, you should not pay for purchases before verifying the authenticity of the seller. Some "shopping sites" may turn out to be fraudulent websites which are cleverly disguised to appear as real sites, but they hack the users' information secretly.

     On top of that, you must observe social decorum whenever you chat online. Today, there is a myriad of social websites for you to choose from when it comes  to chatting and instant messaging, such as Facebook, Twitter and Windows Live Messenger. While chatting is a quick and convenient way to keep in touch with your loved ones and gain new friends, you have to practise good manners as well. As the saying goes, "courtesy is next to ggodliness". You should bear in mind that you are communicating to individuals and not merely through computers. Thus, you should not swear, even if you are chatting online. Instead, you can use emoticons to express your feelings in a less offensive manner. Meanwhile, you should always be careful while you chat via the Internet, especially if you are interacting with a stranger. They may be using fake identities to disguise themselves and find for unknowing victims. Thus, never meet up secretly  with people you know from online chat rooms. If they request to meet up in deserted places, something may be amiss.

     Besides, you must exercise responsibility when you publish any information online, which can be viewed by anyone in any way via publishing sites or better known as "blogs". They host a variety of file formats, which include text, photographs, images and videos. Some of the bloggers use their blogs as their online diary, while the others utilise such service to provide knowledge and for business. In whatever situation, you should always screen through your pieces of writing before you hit the "Publish" or "Post IT" button. Never post anything sensitive, obscene or offensive, lest you will be charged for misusing the media. In cyberspace, there is absolutely no secret.

     Apart from that, we should be sensible while dealing with incoming e-mails and messages to be sent. Among the e-mails we should be wary of is chain e-mails. Chain e-mails are e-mails without any inportant information but are usually commentaries and jokes which are forwarded from one to another. You have to look through the content in such messages in aspects of accuracy, value, humour and sensitivity. If you want to forward them, forward only the actual content of the e-mail that you think is worth the read. Besides, you should reconsider forwarding chain mails. Chain mails, virus warnings or anything that says "forward to everyone you know" should not be sent on as they are often malicious remarks or commentaries that many would not appreciate. If you must forward such mails to more than one person, type their e-mail addresses in the BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) field to protect their e-mail addresses from being published to anyone they do not know.

     Being a responsible Internet user does not stop at communication. Instead, you have to be careful of facts that you gained online. You should browse only reliable websites, such as government portals, official sites of the non-government organizations and online encyclopedias. In this way, you can save a lot of time because "time is gold". Stay away from adult web sites which serve unsavoury content and can potentially poison young minds into committing crimes and scandals as well. Do not believe totally in any information that you gain online, lest they are fake. For instance, a fraud news website "The Onion" published a fake news on the divorce of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which frightened numerous Internet users. In truth, the newlywed couple had just returned from their honeymoon! Hence, the Internet is not 100% reliable.

     In a nutshell, you should not abuse the Internet privileges that have been given to you. Responsibility and caution are the keys to utilise the Internet in a good manner. Thus, you must make the most of the Internet by using it to improve your general knowledge and keep close to your loved ones. Internet cuts both sides. While it helps to make the people's life convenient in communication and knowledge, it can cause various social chaos if it is misused. To sum it up, unless you wish to land yourself in gaol, please exercise responsibility with the Internet to better the mankind.