The Internet is a great place to have fun, but some people may try to use this for their own more dangerous purposes. Remember that people may not be who they say they are. You can't hear them or see them so you don't really know if they are telling the truth.

Unfortunately, you cannot automatically trust anyone you meet online. Have a look below for advice on how best to protect yourself and make sure your on-line experience is fun and exciting as it should be !

This guide is really aimed at younger users of the Website but the advice may be just as applicable to adult users.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 16 ALWAYS TELL A TRUSTED ADULT

If you are under 13 we always ask that you get the permission of your parents or legal guardian before joining. If you are under 16 you should always let your parents or legal guardian know that you are offering your email address. If you are over 13 but under 16 you can register in your own right but as with adults using the Website you should still be careful.

DO NOT GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION

You should never give out the following information about yourself: -

Full name
Address
Telephone number
Mobile number
E-mail address
School name
Log-in password

Also think about your friends and family. You should make sure you don't give out any of this information about them. You should use a nickname - not your real name or pet's name. Take the chance to come up with a new and exciting name to use.

NEVER ARRANGE TO MEET A WEB PAL

You should never arrange to meet a web pal. However long you have been chatting or however well you think you know them it is risky. The more insistent somebody is about meeting you the more careful you should be.

If you really are determined to meet, you must tell your parents or any other trusted adult and ask them to come along with you. YOU MUST NEVER GO ALONE.

LET SOMEONE KNOW IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE

Remember that you are in control. If somebody is starting to bother you and is sending you nasty messages, you should never respond. Print the message off and tell your parents, legal guardian, teacher or any other adult you trust. You can also log off if you feel uncomfortable.

There is absolutely no reason for anybody to put up with other people being nasty at school, home or anywhere and the Internet is no different. We never want these kind of people using our websites so please e-mail us at info@badgetrading.com and tell us about the nasty messages and who they came from.

DON'T OPEN JUNK MAIL

If you've signed up you may get messages from us from time to time. You know the message is from us and that's okay. If you get messages from senders you don't know, then you should delete them. You should not read them and you should never reply, even to say you don't want to receive more messages. You should also tell your parents and any other trusted adult.