10 Smart Things To Teach Your Children About Reputation Protection Online by:Hannah Samuel

We live in an age of instant global communication and no one knows that better than

young people who are incredibly at home in a highly networked world. What's also become incredibly apparent is just how vulnerable those same young people are to seriously damaging their reputation by not thinking through long term consequences of online or digital communications.

Downsides of such actions have had much media play recently: schoolyard bashings filmed on mobile phone cameras; child bullying by text and emails; young people sharing too much personal information on social networking sites; doubtful photos casting the wrong light on how people present themselves. Schools, universities and even employers are checking out online reputations of applicants and taking action accordingly.

So what can a parent teach their digitally advanced child about this realm? Ten top tips for parents to share with their children include:

1. Once information is on the internet it's basically there forever and can be copied, forwarded and misused. Thousands of strangers will read your comments without knowing the type of person you really are - and will draw their own conclusions

2. Other people will judge you based on what you say and do on the internet. Small details in the background of images can identify you and others: think carefully before publishing online information and images

3. Never publish anything when you're in a rush or under pressure. Wait, reread it and publish it only when you're sure you want it visible to everyone - forever

4. Never give out personal information: your name, age, gender, address

5. Never use your real name in open chat forums - use your nickname

6. Protect your friends. It may seem like a laugh to post an embarrassing photo of a friend - but how would you feel if they did it to you?

7. Always seek permission from people in the picture or video before uploading photos or videos to a site

8. Always leave a site if you feel uncomfortable in any way

9. Words last a long time and reputations about people travel very far, very fast. Are the words you are saying about yourself or another really kind and truthful?

10. Teach children to stick up for their principals. Remind them that making mean remarks about someone else or isolating a particular person can damage both their reputations and have long term negative consequences

About the author

Download Hannah's free special report: 'Reputation Branding Essentials' and opt-in to receive her electronic newsletter, 'Reputationz', at: www.hannahsamuel.com.

Hannah is a specialist reputation advisor, professional speaker, author and founder of online performance-based service directory, TRUSTcite. She comments on issues around reputation, trust and integrity in mainstream media and on her blog www.trustbite.co.nz. Contact her by email on: info@hannahsamuel.com.

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