#internet safety psa

[ironhoshi]

Hey.

Don't do this. Don't anon and send a link. Immediate block. (Obvs you were being malicious so you don't care.)

That game doesn't exist, I searched not via that link.

Be careful what you click out there. People want to steal your shit or infect you. I am not looking to get .//hacked here. Kthx bye.

[ooc-miqojak]

“anyone could say they’re anything online” you mean people lie about their identity?

You came all the way over to my roleplay blog that is very specifically not actually who I am... to ask a question that has an obvious answer? Do you genuinely think that I'm an almost-200-year-old demonic elf who lives on a world called Azeroth?

I'm sure this ask is in bad faith/meant to troll, but I'll answer it in good faith, by repeating/sharing the lessons I learned about the internet in roughly 1998, when the internet was young, and so was I..

Plenty of people these days straight up ignore these very basic rules that protect them (these aren't just rules for children, after all), and I've heard a slew of horror stories about adults who gave out personal information or met up with a stranger they met on the internet without vetting them thoroughly, so frankly... people could use lessons like these again. Especially at a young age. Also, being taught not to click on every link I saw back then - because every ad was basically spy/malware - has protected me from a slew of phishing attempts via email, discord, facebook, and other platforms over the years. Just because someone (who can seem to be a friend, even) sends you a random link and asks you to click it... doesn't mean it's actually your friend, or that the link is safe. Pretty basic stuff, and yet almost everyone I know on Discord has lost their account at least once due to clicking on every random link they're sent without asking themselves if they really should/need to. A modicum of paranoia goes a long way towards protecting your valuable information (and your life/well-being, at times) on the internet.

[trexalicious]

A reminder for those of us with cats at Easter that lilies of ANY kind are BAD for cats. Some species such as Calla, Peace and Peruvian do not cause kidney damage or death like Easter and daylilies, but they can still cause irritation and gastrointestinal issues if ingested...

[sleep-deprived-person]

So apparently KOSA (2024 edition) is getting either thrown out until next year or put into effect in six days. That was a guesstimate based on a different person saying that's when Congress is back in session and may be false.

Update that's going in the main post at the top: it has enough support to pass Congress.

It failed the last two times because people were voting against it.

This time, KOSA has traction among the pro-LGBTQ parties. Because nobody is fucking calling their bullshit and screaming from the rooftops that calling it the "Kids Online Safety Act" is misleading.

What will it passing do?

Nothing much, only prevent any education on LGBTQIA+ (it's that stupid fucking argument about us grooming kids again), shut down nearly every fandom space on the internet, and make it required for most big tech companies to have your ID.

Want to have resources for kids to discover their identity readily available? Yes? Then fucking speak up against this stupid fucking bill.

Fandom spaces like Tumblr, Twitter (? I thought the MAGA assholes liked Musk?), Tiktok, Archive Of Our Own, and any other website that hosts fanfic or fanart? Either shut down permanently, forced to uproot to a different country and down for a while (best case scenario, and they likely won't be able to send any data, and therefore fanfics, to the US), or gutted so that you only get to put G rated cishet ships on there, if any shipping at all. How to avoid that? I've already said it: Call your fucking representatives.

Want to avoid the fucking dystopic task of being legally obligated to give big tech your government issue ID? Again, cause an uproar. Call your goddamned representatives.

If they can pass this, the ripple effects could be catastrophic.

So, for fuck's sake, any Americans that can impact this stupid fucking bill and see this? Do everything in your power to shut it down because you have until February twenty sixth (26th) to send this bill back to where it belongs.

And if you can't do that? Reblog, copy my tags, and boost the signal.

Sorry not sorry for ranting, making you scroll through that, and swearing a probably excessive amount, but KOSA is a bill with a GLOBAL IMPACT being passed by ONE COUNTRY because some old people are scared of two guys with who were told they were girls kissing within five hundred miles of a child. Fuck this shit, I shouldn't have to worry about bad bills in America but I fucking do because I use the internet and would like to avoid mass censorship. Fuck this, fuck conservatives, and fuck the fact that some boomers make your country's policies.

Now, if you won't mind me, I'm going to be up until three in the morning downloading fanfiction or copying and pasting them into a a text file if I can't so I can read them by the end of the week.

[jessiarts]

Hey, PSA:

On your phone, go to Settings> Security and Privacy> Privacy> Other Privacy Settings> Ads> Delete Advertising ID

Then go back to Other Privacy Settings> Google location history> Turn off Location History &/or Turn-on Auto-Delete (you can set a time period of how long to keep it)

Then, staying on Other Privacy Settings, go to '+ See all activity controls'> Web & App activity> Turn off (you can also turn-on Auto-Delete for here too)

Then Scroll down to Personalized ads> My Ad Center> Turn Off Personalized Ads.

Google has no business knowing/storing everything you do online, and knowing/storing where you go everyday. Turn it off.

These instructions are for an Android phone, IOS might be different. If you have IOS or another operating system feel free to add on with your own map to where they've buried these settings in your phone to help others.

[catgirl-catboy]

Hey teenagers.

You aren't slick. We adults know you look at our smut. We know no amount of minors DNI is gonna stop you from looking at our smut. We were teenagers once too, you know?

But please. Don't interact with people about sexual things online. Reading somebodies adult fic is fine. I don't like it, but you're gonna do it. Commenting on that smutfic, or joining a discord server for it, puts everyone in a really dangerous situation. Thats an entirely different level of risk. Not even with people your own age, since you can never know for sure.

[lordoftablecloths]

stopkosa.com

change.org petition

more helpful links

[august 2024 update]

KOSA or the Kids Online Safety Act is an Internet bill being pushed by the American government. It claims its purpose is to "protect" kids, but really its methods of enforcing this is mass censorship and control of the Internet. The passing of this bill would lead to LGBTQ+ related information, reproductive healthcare, and other topics that government officials may find "dangerous" to children be restricted or censored.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

In the website linked above, there is a petition you can sign as well as a pre-filled message you can send. You can also write to your representatives, and if you don't want to come up with an entire message, I've attached sample scripts. Also, go to badinternetbills.com for another petition that references similar bills. For more information about KOSA, you can see this article: eff.org/deeplinks/2024/02/don… .

Spread information about this, and do what you can. This bill being passed would mean an era of censorship for the Internet.

[carboninkwash]

I keep hearing people say “The internet isn’t forever my favorite shows are being taken down and there’s so much lost content from old websites”

Guys, that’s not the meaning of the phrase. It’s about internet safety.

“The internet is forever” means that if you post something, it can be copied, reposted, saved to someone else’s computer. You are no longer in control of where it goes. It does not mean the internet is an infallible archive.

Be responsible with your stuff, post only what you are ok with being out there forever and protect what you mean to keep forever.

[emptyheadgamer]

i feel like we as a digital society have forgotten the important rules of the internet

Don't feed the trolls

Never give out personal information

Anonymity is the best defense

Don't click suspicious links

Don't click popups and ads

Just because it's written doesn't mean it's true

You are responsible for your own experience

There is porn of everything, act accordingly

[queen-anarchy-666]

Okay so apparently kids these days don't know how to be safe online because their parents are fucking stupid and don't know anything about the internet!!!

So I'm gonna tell you teenagers how to be safe and not get abused because there is no shortage of predators on the internet. I'm gonna go from super basic things you can do to keep yourself safe to more specific instances where a predator may be trying to groom you that you can recognize. Remember though; if you are abused or have been abused it is not your fault. You deserve protection and you deserve respect as a minor, regardless of how you spend your time on the internet. Victim blaming helps nobody but predators, but there are ways you can protect yourself, even though you shouldn't always have to.

Basic tips:

DO NOT SHARE YOUR REAL NAME

DO NOT SHARE YOUR AGE

DO NOT SHARE WHERE YOU LIVE

DO NOT SHARE PHOTOS OR VIDEOS OF YOURSELF

DO NOT SHARE PHOTOS OF YOUR HOUSE

IT IS OKAY TO BLOCK WHOEVER YOU WANT, WHENEVER YOU WANT, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON.

Don't sacrifice your safety, comfort, or peace of mind just for someone else's feelings! Especially a stranger! Also, if you think something is off, it probably is. You need to trust your gut. SPEAK UP! Tell a trusted friend, sibling, or adult! I'm sure you've heard the phrase "silence is violence" -- this phrase goes for abuse as well! Unsafe people want you to stay quiet so they can continue to harm you or others. It is not inherently problematic to have friends who are adults, in fact it is healthy and helpful to have friends who are older than you, however we live in a world where you cannot trust many adults, so you need to be cautious of adults you encounter at all times, including ones you know well or are well known by others. It is also not inherently problematic to be asked many of the questions above, but it is important to ask yourself whether or not you want to give that information to the person asking. If not, simply tell them that you do not give out that information and redirect the conversation, or block if you feel uncomfortable.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO NOT INSERT YOURSELF INTO ADULT SPACES.

I know it is tempting, especially with the way hormones effect judgement and your emotions, and we all want to be included, but inserting yourself into spaces you know you should not be by lying about your age is incredibly unsafe and leads to horrible situations that aren't always easy to get out of. This includes adult fandom spaces, websites, searching adult topics, NSFW blogs or accounts, and even group chats. Even if your friends invite you to these spaces, it does not mean you should neglect your safety to be accepted. It's okay and encouraged to say no. You will thank yourself when you get older!

More Specific Tips:

YOU SHOULDN'T PUT YOUR MENTAL ILLNESSES OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN YOUR BIOS ON YOUR ACCOUNTS.

Awareness and solidarity for mental illness and disabilities is very important, however predators are more likely to go after people who may have a more difficult time discerning what is normal and what is not in social situations, especially when speaking to an authority figure like an adult. Do not make yourself a target by listing the ways you struggle with social cues, understanding rules and safety, or communication. It is okay to seek solidarity, but there are predators seeking out disabled and mentally ill youths to abuse.

DO NOT OFFER INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL ON THE INTERNET.

It is dangerous to release information about your whereabouts in any capacity on the internet, especially your school where you are doubly putting your peers and classmates in danger as well. If you come into contact or into the orbit of a predator that is bent on finding you or meeting you, your school is a public place where one may feel brazen enough to pretend they know you. Even if other kids are doing it by posting fight videos or even innocent videos, doesn't mean you should.

JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE INSISTS THEY'RE A SAFE PERSON DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY ARE.

People lie on the internet all the time, including in some really bizarre and meaningless ways, but there will always be people who lie to get closer to someone to make them a victim. Just because someone tells you they are against abuse or even if they advocate against it does not mean that they themselves are a safe person. Predators will do anything they can to get you to trust them, and while predators are usually very pushy and want things to go quickly, some will take their time to groom you.

!!!!BIG RED FLAGS!!!!

IF YOU SEE ANY OF THIS BEHAVIOR, RUN! BLOCK AND REPORT PEOPLE WHO DO THESE THINGS FOR YOUR SAFETY! IT'S NEVER WORTH STICKING AROUND THESE KINDS OF PEOPLE!

THEY CONTINUALLY SEND YOU SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL, INCLUDING FANART, FANFIC, AND VIDEOS.

THEY TELL YOU AGE IS JUST A NUMBER, OR LOVE HAS NO AGE.

THEY EXPRESS THE OPINION THAT MINORS CAN CONSENT TO SEXUAL ACTIVITY.

THEY CONSTANTLY MAKE "JOKES" ABOUT MINORS IN A SEXUAL WAY OR ABOUT BEING ATTRACTED TO MINORS.

THEY EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING "LEGAL" AT THE AGE OF 18 OR FIXATE ON AGE OF CONSENT LAWS.

THEY GET ANGRY AT YOU FOR SETTING A BOUNDARY OR IF YOU MENTION TELLING YOUR PARENTS.

THEY ENJOY "LOLI" OR "SHOTA" MATERIAL OR ENTHUSE ABOUT THOSE TYPES OF CHARACTERS.

THEY CALL YOU PET NAMES THAT YOU AREN'T COMFORTABLE WITH, EVEN WHEN YOU TELL THEM NOT TO.

THEY ASK YOU HIGHLY PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT SEXUAL ACTIVITY, YOUR PERIODS, OR MASTURBATION.

THEY TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE MATURE FOR YOUR AGE, OR THAT YOU'RE NOT LIKE OTHER KIDS BECAUSE YOU'RE MORE ADULT THAN THEY ARE.

THEY ASK YOU TO SEND PHOTOS OR VIDEOS OF YOURSELF DOING SEXUALLY CHARGED THINGS, WHICH INCLUDES DANCING OR STRIPPING, OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF YOUR BODY.

THEY KEEP STEERING THE CONVERSATION IN A SEXUAL DIRECTION. THIS INCLUDES ROLEPLAY!

NONE OF THIS BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL. IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR AN ADULT TO ASK HIGHLY PERVASIVE QUESTIONS OR TO BECOME PUSHY OR ANGRY IF YOU EXPRESS DISCOMFORT. BLOCK AND REPORT THESE TYPE OF PEOPLE, THEY EXHIBIT BEHAVIOR CONSISTENT WITH SEXUAL ABUSE PATTERNS.

Adults and Minors alike please feel free to reblog. It is imperative that young people who don't know these things learn them, because the only thing a predator hates more than a jail cell is a minor who cannot be abused.

[linklethehistorian]

So, I just want to warn people in the Helluva/Hazbin fandom that there’s a server out there which literally asks you for a picture of yourself holding your ID in order to gain access to the mature channels. (They do say to cover up all info except DoB and your photo, but still.)

I am all for 21+/adult only spaces in fandom and these series are literally made for adults to begin with. And minors not entering those adult spaces is of course important.

However, asking people to dox themselves under the promise that “don’t worry, it will be immediately deleted” just to access NSFW content is extremely dangerous and sets a bad example for people in fandoms when it comes to not sharing too much personal information with online strangers.

It is a shame that the server has this policy, as I otherwise enjoyed being there very much and it was a nice server in the brief time that I was there, but it cannot be overlooked.

Please do not give servers your sensitive documents like this.

Furthermore, this does nothing to keep minors from accessing those spaces. Prior to this policy, they only asked for a photo of the ID itself (still bad!!!!), and minors were sending fake and/or random IDs to bypass it. They can still do so now, if they ask a friend or relative who is an adult to take a pic for them.

If someone is truly determined to lie, they will. If someone wants to cause trouble, they will. Asking people to dox themselves will not solve this.

[the-autumn-apple-artworks]

౨ৎ. Well hello there Kinito community...

There is something I think you all should be warned about

These recent months a nasty person has begun to lure into the fandom and attack all sorts of people, especially artists, sending them threats, doxing them, and other nasty stuff. Spreading misinformation in other people's inboxes to try and ruin reputations and lives. This situation has gotten out of hand and should not be taken for granted

This anon is specifically going onto a "fetish farming" accusation rampage, accusing artist of non-existent fetishes and accusing them of exposing kids to said fetishes. As you can see, very serious deal to just decide to joke around about

If you have anon asks open, I warn you to BLOCK said anon if you ever encounter them and NEVER blindly believe serious accusations like these, especially if they're done behind the cowardice of an anon ask

In case you don't know how to block anons, here's how:

If you click on the three dots on the top right corner and then select "Block sender", the anon's IP address will be blocked entirely and they will not be able to send any type of ask to any of your blogs (and while you're at it, Report the message)

These accusations can be extremely dangerous if allowed to blow out of proportions so please beware and stay safe

[jaegerisim]

ATTENTION TO AO3 WRITERS! IF U RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE OR SIMILAR DO NOT CLICK!!! IT'S PROBABLY A SCAM TO HACK UR DISCORD ACC

You can probably know by how the ACC is deleted, the username and the <<" ">> they used.

REBLOG TO SPREAD!

[marthafanaamay]

URGENT PSA FOR ALL CAT OWNERS!!! (Trigger warning: this video talks about cats dying terribly)

This video showcases the DANGER of this litter box! It is being sold by many different companies under many different names, but they all are death traps for your cat. I AM NOT USING HYPERBOLE, THESE MACHINES KILL CATS! Please, if you are thinking of getting this machine, DO NOT GET IT! If you currently have it, THROW IT AWAY IMMEDIATELY and get one of the other litter machines mentioned in the above video. I know these machines may be on the cheaper end, BUT THEY ARE NOT WORTH YOUR CAT'S LIFE!

Again, I would like to put a massive trigger warning: this video is about a faulty product that results in the DEATHS of cats. It talks about cats being killed. So, if that is too much for you, please don't watch it. But just be aware of the dangers of this product.

PROTECT YOUR CATS, DON'T GET THIS MACHINE!

[plague-of-insomnia]

“You’re too online! Why are you always making such a big deal over stupid fandom issues that don’t impact anyone in real life”

Meanwhile, Texas: passed a law that has been upheld and caused sites like pornhub to disable all access for users in the state in order to “comply with the law”

The Texas law was signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in June 2023. The legislation, Texas H.B. 11811, was scheduled to go into effect on Sept. 1, but it was on hold after the lawsuit filed by the Free Speech Coalition (a group that includes Pornhub’s parent company) resulted in a preliminary injunction staying its enforcement. The law applies to online publishers whose content is more than one-third “sexual material harmful to minors” and requires them to verify the age of all visitors using a government-issued ID or “public or private transactional data.”

Does this argument sound familiar to you ???

While KOSA did not pass, this exactly the world that puritans want.

And for those of you who think “i don’t care, bc i don’t use pornhub or other sites like it and/or I don’t live in texas” if more places adopt these things more sites will be forced to shut down or ban content completely, even stuff that could be considered educational might be left off as sites fear legal repercussions.

This is a major issue everyone should care about, even if you never consume “adult” content.

source | source | source

[quotidian-oblivion]

Friendly Reminder:

If you feel uncomfortable with any conversation with someone online...

Block them.

If you receive very suspicious and unappreciated messages.

Report then block them.

This is the line you must not cross. For your own safety. For the safety of others.

You don't even have to say anything to them before you block them. They're not your responsibility. Their feelings do not matter when compared with your safety.

Block. Report. Do not budge from this rule.