While exploring the Internet is a wonderful way to spend some of your free time this summer, you should always be cautious of what footprints you're leaving online. After all, what you do and say online may impact you forever. Here are 10 Internet safety tips that you should always follow whether you're just browsing for fun or keeping in touch with friends through email, messenger and social media sites like Facebook:

1. Think of the Internet as a stranger:

Information you post on the Internet can go viral and may be accessible to anyone. Things you post online in Toronto can not only be seen by individuals across the city and country, but are rather accessible to people across the world. Therefore, be cautious of posting identifying information that you would not want to share with a stranger.

Bottom line: You would never provide someone you've never met with your name, school, age, phone number and address--so why share this information with the entire world online?

2. Think before you post: 

What you post online is there to stay. Videos, pictures and other information you post on the web have the potential shelf life of...forever! Sure, you may delete a photo of yourself online, but by that time it may have already been picked up by a friend or someone else who's  already posted it on countless other sites, and is sharing it with others online.

3. Be Web Aware:

Before you decide to join a page, think about how different sites work. Some online sites give you secure privacy settings, which allow only selected users to access your posted content, while others allow anyone and everyone to view your postings.  

Bottom line: Be web aware. Know what you're posting and where you're posting it.

4. Use your Privacy tools:

Social media sites like Facebook allow you to share select information with select people. They allow you to control which aspects of your profile your friends, family and strangers have access to.

Bottom line: Privacy tools are put in place for a reason: to make your online experience safer and more pleasant. Use them.

5. Beware of links and emails from unknown senders:

Don't click on generic  links like, "Congratulations, you've just won $1, 000." They are often spam advertisements and may even contain viruses, which may cause you to lose data saved on your computer like photos, videos, music and other documents.  

Bottom line: Don't open links if you don't know the person they're coming from. Opening a link only takes a few seconds, removing a virus that was caused by the link takes much longer!

6. Do not share passwords:

You should not share passwords with anyone except your parents, of course. Sure, sharing a password with your best friend may seem like a good idea, but what happens if you and your bestie get in a heated argument and are no longer friends? He/she will have access to your shared account and may, on impulse, share your private content with others.

Bottom line:  Don't risk having your private information circulated around the Internet. Your passwords should be known to you and your parents, only.

7. Know whom you're talking to:

Be wary of strangers:  You're on chat using a messenger service or a social media site like Facebook and you suddenly get a friend request from someone you don't know. Before you click on the accept button, think about what kind of information they may directly or indirectly know about you if you choose to friend them.  And if you do choose to accept the request, ask yourself: do you really know how truthful this person really is about his/her identity?

Bottom line: Strangers online can be as dangerous than the ones you may talk to you in person. Avoid 'friending' or having conversations with someone you do not know.

8. Speak up:

 If you feel uncomfortable or threatened because of something online, tell someone about it. Talk to an adult you trust, report it to the police and the social networking site. 

Bottom line: When it comes to your safety, trust your gut. By reporting an incident that makes you uncomfortable, you are not only ensuring your own well-being, but you may also be preventing someone else from being harmed.

9. Apply the Golden Rule:

Don't say something to someone that you would not feel comfortable saying in person.  Cyber bullying is not only a serious offence, but it is also emotionally harmful to the person being bullied.

Bottom line: Whether you're offline or online, apply the golden rule: treat others the way you'd like to be treated. 

 10. Make a positive footprint!

The Internet is a wonderful way to exchange information. Make a positive contribution by posting content that may be of help to others.

Bottom line: The Internet is the world's biggest encyclopaedia. Help expand it.