Online Safety Tips and Online Communities
15 Rules to Stay Safe on the Internet
Never give your personal information to anyone online. Do not share your address, social security number, personal family information or any information that appears on your checks, credit or debit cards.
Do not give anyone passwords for your computer, websites or programs. Even if your best friend asks for your password to get into a social networking site type it in yourself.
Avoid typing in confidential information into a public computer, like at the local library. Don’t pay your bills online in a public space if possible and protect your information if you must use it in public by looking who is around you when you type in passwords, billing information etc.
Make sure your screen name or domain name doesn’t give personal information about you. SallyDwestside18@aol.com gives people information about your name, age and where you may live. Likewise, SexySally18@aol.com is also inappropriate because of the flirtatious nature of the name.
Never post your whereabouts or schedule online. Do not post when you are going on vacation, to work or school. It gives people the information on when you are not at home, therefore giving others opportunities to rob your home or victimize you.
Be careful about what pictures you post on social networking sites like Facebook. Make sure that the picture doesn’t let someone know where you live, work or spend your free time.
Make sure everything you post online is appropriate. Never post anything mean about other individuals, your workplace or other places you frequent in the community. If you don’t know if something is OK to post, check with an adult you trust first.
Never send photos of yourself that are indecent (such as nude photos) to anyone, including people you are dating. You never know if the picture of you will end up all over the internet.
A friend of a friend is still a stranger. Don’t assume that just because someone knows a friend of yours that they will respect your privacy. Do not share information with any strangers, even your friend’s friend.
Never use the internet at work to check social networking or dating sites. If it doesn’t have to do with work, don’t do it! Your IM can be tracked at work, so don’t chat with people through IM either. This behavior can get you fired.
Remember that once you post information online there is no way to take it back—it’s there forever.
Do not forward chain emails. These are most likely scams and could be dangerous to your computer or others you send the email to.
Don’t be tricked by spam email . These are cheap marketing tools designed to sell you something, not to give you a “free trial,” “discount offer” or “amazing opportunity.”
Don’t be fooled by “phishing.” Be cautious of emails that look like they are from your bank or other companies that ask you to retype sensitive information in an email, website or phone number. Contact your bank or company directly and confirm that the email was not from them.
Always have strong anti-spam, anti-virus and anti-phishing tools installed and set to update automatically.
Online Communities
This webpage is a resource. Milestones Autism Resources does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services from any of the groups or companies listed below.
Wrong Planet
A web community designed for individuals (and parents/professional of those) with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs, and other neurological differences. Includes a discussion forum, an articles sections, how-to guides, a blogging feature, and a chatroom for real-time communication.
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)
A website founded and maintained by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders to advance the principles of disability rights for the autism community. Includes information on legislative affairs regarding autism, connections to social and support groups, how-to guides, resource library, newsletter and more.
IAN (Interactive Autism Network) Community
An online environment designed to act as an library and meeting place where everyone concerned with Autism Spectrum Disorders can learn about autism research and share their experiences. Includes interactive discussion forum.
Autistic Women’s Network
Website seeks to provide support to women and girls on the autism spectrum through online community forums, resources and advocacy. Includes interactive blog and discussion forum.
Autisable
Autisable’s mission is to be of service to the autism community by providing an open platform where anything autism-related can be shared and discussed. Users sign up for an account and can create their own blog, as well as read and comment on others.
Life with Aspergers
This blog is based on personal experiences, non-medical and non-technical writing by a Mom with Asperger’s about her experiences raising her two sons on the spectrum. Includes a large database of posts and ability to comment on all blog posts.
Autistic Dating
Online dating site created by a mother of son with Asperger’s to address the lack of resources helping young people with ASD develop romantic relationships. Includes full featured chat, internal mail messaging, event calendar and individual matching option.
Aspergers Dating Site
Users can create a free profile and meet other single people with Asperger’s Syndrome looking to be in relationships. Partners of people with Asperger’s Syndrome can also seek advice on typical challenges in relationships.
MySpecialMatch
MySpecialMatch was created by Shannon and her husband, who have a daughter with special needs. They wanted to create a space where she and others like her could find friends and potential partners in a fun, safe, and private space.
Special Bridge
Not only is Special Bridge a truly special dating site for singles with disabilities, but it’s also a social networking site for anyone living with different mental, physical, or emotional ability levels.
Soulful Encounters
A highly-customizable profile is the key to Soulful Encounters’ approach, featuring not just chat and messaging, but a member radio station on-site. Soulful Encounters has no monthly fees and a vibrant, growing membership to engage with. Success stories and testimonials praise the site’s usefulness, partly thanks to a heavy social media pulse.
Meet Disabled Singles
Meet Disabled Singles faces the challenge of finding like-minded individuals head-on through digital flirts and searchable members. Potential partners can be sorted by region, sexuality, religion and type of disability. Live video chat rooms are available when you find someone you want to chat up.
Dating 4 Disabled
Dating 4 Disabled connects thousands of members through chat, a companion blog and forums. The importance of Internet dating safety is emphasized with advice and links to better protect yourself.