Teenage Chat Rooms
From LoveToKnow Teens
Teenage chat rooms can be either places for teens to meet new friends or a sociable place gather with your current buddies.
Teen Chat
Teen chat translates into lots of different forms of communication, depending on the method of chat you use. One type is instant messaging (I.M.) which is like having a private conversation with a friend through a computer or portable device. IM is very popular with teens and adults alike. It is similar to email, except the recipient receives your message instantly and you can respond instantly. It is comparable to a phone call except with written words, not spoken.
In turn, the chat room is a public forum where many different people can chat together at the same time. At their core, teenage chat rooms are basically web pages set up for instant comments. Imagine a virtual party rather than a one-on-one conversation. Teenage chat rooms are part of the fantasy Internet world. They can be a great way to find others with similar interests. They can help teens deal with periods of loneliness, which is a common symptom of youth. Teenage chat rooms are particularly useful for shy teens, letting them practice their social skills.
Bonding
Teenage chat rooms are also a nice way to discuss issues with others who are unknown to you. This Internet bonding often allows teens to share more personal emotions behind the safety of their computer screen. When done carefully, this can be huge benefit to participating in a chat. Often teens are embarrassed or insecure about normal things in their life and it is good for them to have an outlet to discuss some of their feelings.
However, this attraction can also lead to addiction. So, don’t let chatting overwhelm your social life. Although online friends can be amusing, remember to keep in touch with your family, neighbors, and school buddies too.
Chat Talk
All forms of chat run a bit differently than typical written communication. Often there is slang or abbreviations used as shorthand substitutions while typing. Emoticon symbols and other forms of expression are common as the body language of chat. Therefore, chatting is more expressive and instant than other forms of Internet communication such as message boards and blogs. More like a conversation among buddies, than anything formal or intimidating.
Safety
When it comes to teenage chat rooms, safety is of utmost importance. Many chat rooms are adult-oriented and unmonitored. It can be hard to find PG rated chat rooms. Teenage chat rooms are popular clubhouses for youth which unfortunately attracts many predators. Therefore, it is always best to lurk first and read all the rules and policies before joining the discussions. If you do this and use the following safety tips, you should have fun and still be safe!
- Don’t be something you're not. Although the Internet might feel safe, pretending to be someone else or older than you are can actually get you in a lot of trouble. Avoid the temptation.
- Never give out private information in any chat room – ever! This means be careful what you say and allude to. If you chat about your favorite hang out, someone might be able to track you down there.
- Choose your screen name carefully. Avoid using a screen name that identifies you in any way – even your gender.
- Watch out for membership applications. Some teenage chat rooms are just cover ups for scams. Avoid giving out private information in membership applications and never give your social security number or credit card information to any random website.
- Private chat rooms do not exist. Even if you leave the public place to chat in a private room, there is no guarantee those rooms are completely private. Always be very careful what you say whenever you are online.
- Use teenage chat rooms in a public place. Like on your family’s computer in the living room. Even though you may feel your privacy is being invaded, by chatting in a chat room, you are already being watched. If you keep your chat room discussion in public place, you will be more likely to keep your chat safe. If you are chatting about something online you wouldn’t want your parents to see, it is a sure sign that you are doing something risky.
- Keep in mind that the people you meet online may not be who they seem. Often predators are adults who pretend to be kids.
Teenage Chat Rooms
If you are looking for some teenage chat rooms to try, you can always Google the term or the word chat with an interest of yours – like soccer chat or makeup chat. Another great way to find a good teenage chat room is to ask around. If your friends and schoolmates are using it, there is a good chance you will enjoy it too. The following is also a list of options – although always follow the above safety rules no matter what site you are using.
- The InSite – a great site for teens with chat rooms and loads of other information. They focus on a variety of teen issues with an overall theme of positive energy and inspiration. In addition to teen forums, articles, and discussions, the site also offers a parent’s forum.
- KidsCom.com – a site designed for kids and teens, it offers a variety of chats and discussions. You can participate in their weekly question discussion or visit one of their staff monitored chat rooms.
- KidsTurnCentral – a kids’ website for the younger set. Targeting kids under the age of 16, they provide stringent rules and monitoring of their chat rooms. For those new to chat, they even provide some self-help articles.
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Comments
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-- Contributed by: love me for everIf you're looking for a unique place to hang out, try Second Life for Teens(ages 13-17). We don't have a chat set up on this site yet.
-- Contributed by: Charlotte GerberI think it's good way to meet new friends in your area or others.
-- Contributed by: cynthiaThis page has been accessed 12,830 times. This page was last modified 11:33, 7 February 2009.
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