Individuals looking to exploit others can gain access to potential victims online because they are not always aware of how dangerous online environments can be or how to keep themselves safe. They oftentimes actively stalk online meeting places, like social media sites, to lure their victims.

Below are several safety tips to keep in mind while online and using social media:

• Don’t share personal information (where you live, work, go to school, or details about your personal life).

• Set your profile to private so only your friends in real life can get access.

• Never accept a friend request from someone you don’t know in real life.

• Don’t share photos with anyone that you wouldn’t be comfortable with your parents, guardians, or friends seeing.

• If you do share a photo and someone uses it to threaten or blackmail you, you have options. Talk to a trusted adult about how to protect yourself or get help.

• If you plan to meet someone you met online in person, it should be in a public setting, like a restaurant or coffee shop, and let a trusted friend know who, where, and when you are meeting.

• Do your research on a job offer that seems too good to be true by reading reviews on company rating websites or reaching out to current or past employees to validate information about the job.

• If someone isn’t who they seem to be, or you think you are being lured into a potentially exploitative situation, tell a trusted adult. Reporting the person could help stop them from potentially exploiting other people.

• Trust your instincts! If something feels wrong about a conversation you are having with someone online, stop the conversation and block the profile.