By WhuddleWorld Deputy Clancey "CK" Klagett
Howdy y'all! "CK" Klagett here, hopin' to hep y'all enjoy yer time here in WhuddleWorld. The internet is a splendiferous place chock full of possibilities. In order t' keep it that way, I'd like to remind y'all of a few simple things you can do to keep yerself safe when you're online — right here in WhuddleWorld and ever'wheres else!

• Ask permission before y'all sign up fer an'thin'. Yer parents can help y'all figure out what sites'll be fun and safe fer y'all, and make sure y'all git a rip-roarin' boot-skootin' good time online.
• Protect yer identity. It's super important that y'all never give out personal information to folks you "meet" online. Don't ever tell people yer name, address, phone number, yer folks' workplace/phone number, school name, or even yer pet pig's name without yer folks' permission.
• Don't agree to get together with yer online friends without talkin' to yer folks first. If your folks think it's ok, make sure y'all meet somewhere's public, and bring yer mom or dad with.
• Surf smart. Don't ever click on one of them-there links in an email or other message from some somebody y'all don't know an' trust.
• Ask fer help. If y'alls ever come 'cross infermation that y'all don't understand or that makes y'all uncomfortable, tell yer folks lickety-split. They'll hep y'all figure out what it means, or how to make it skeedaddle right on out o' yer inbox.
• Never ever send photos to online friends without getting yer folks' permission first.
• Pick yer friends carefully. Sometimes y'all may get messages from troublesome varmints that make y'all uncomfortable or don't make one bit o' sense to y'all. Don't reply. Tell yer folks pronto so they can take care of it.
• Keep yer passwords to yerself. Share them with yer folks, just in case y'all lose track of 'em. Otherwise, don't y'all go tellin' anyone, even yer pet pig. He might squeal on ya!
• Follow yer folks' rules. Make sure y'alls only go online when y'all're supposedta, only visit them-there sites yer folks have ok'd fer y'all, and log off when yer time is up. As fun as it may be to surf the web an' chat with yer pals online, there's even more fun stuff to do in the real world.
• Practice good citizenship. Don't ya'll go do anythin' that might hurt somebody, and don't go breakin' the law. If somebody else does, be sure to tell yer folks right away.

We all gotta do our part to make the internet, and WhuddleWorld, a more wonderful place t' hang our hats!

Parents:

To learn more about how to keep your kids safe online, visit www.NetSmartz.org, an interactive, educational safety resource from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

For more information on the 1998 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), visit the FTC's Kidz Privacy website at www.ftc.gov/kidzprivacy