You maybe one of those people who prefer to communicate by computer rather than talk face-to-face. However as with other mode of communication, online communication can have legitimate uses as well as potential abuses. True, it is sometimes recommended to keep in touch with family and friends. But the anonymity of the internet makes it easy for users to hide what they are, or to reveal too much information about them thus inviting threats into their lives and putting oneself into the prey of various dangers such as aggressive sexual solicitation, pornography, and cyberbullying.

Online communication may in a way be likened to walking blindfolded through the streets of a dangerous neighbourhood. We need to be alert of the dangers. How do we then protect ourselves from the potential dangers of using the internet for communication. The book "Questions Young People Ask Answers That Work Volume 2" published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania has these following suggestions:

1. Monitor the amount of time you spend online, and don't let it rob you of time for more important things-including sleep.

2. Communicate only with people you know or whose identity you can verify. Unsavory individuals regularly troll the internet looking to exploit unsuspecting youths.

3. When conducting a business transaction, be cautious. Be extremely careful about giving out personal information. Otherwise, you could become victim of fraud-or worse.

4. When sending photos to your friends, ask yourself, 'Does this truly represent someone who claims to serve God?'

5. As with face-to-face communication, if an online discussion turns toward things which are not becoming, end the conversation.

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