Safety and awareness on Argonath RPG.

[Frank_Hawk]

Safety and awareness on Argonath RPG.

Argonath is a community which boasts over 7600 members from across the world representing a diverse cultural background combined with a rich heritage. We have a global reach which outweighs most multinational companies which is admirable yet poses some issues regarding the well being of our community. We recognise that a majority of our audience falls into a segment which is highly susceptible to online safety.  This guide has been formulated to help community members distinguish areas that may be of concern to them and how they can seek help from responsible figures.

Argonath - a gateway for diverse, enriching global friendships
Argonath can be great way to chat to other people who share your interests, but you should always be careful not to pass on any of your personal details. You should always keep in mind that internet users can pretend to be anyone they like. They can lie about their age, their interests and whether they're male or female. No matter how long you've been chatting, remember that they're still strangers; you don't really know them at all. People can pretend to be your age. You simply don't know - nobody does - and unfortunately there have been cases where adults have pretended to be teenagers and lured young people into meeting them in dangerous situations.

(1) Argonath chatrooms (forums, in-game) and external communication (MSN, Skype, Facebook, Twitter etc):
When you're using MSN or posting on a message board in Argonath, never give out any personal information like your address or your phone number. You should always use a nickname, so no-one can look you up in a telephone directory and get your home phone number. It's usually not a good idea to arrange to meet up with someone that you've been chatting to online. Remember that you can never be sure that they're telling the truth about their age or their interests and you could be putting yourself in danger. If you do want to meet up with someone you've met online, make sure that you discuss it with your parents beforehand. If they do agree, make sure that you arrange a meeting in a public place and that you take an responsible adult with you.

(2) Cyber bulling (harrasement)
Cyberbullying is a form of bullying and can be defined as the use of information and communications technology, deliberately to upset someone else. It can be used to carry out all different types of bullying, such as racist bullying, homophobic bullying, or bullying related to special educational needs and disabilities. Instead of the perpetrator carrying out the bullying in person, they use technology as a means of conducting the bullying.

Cyberbullying occurs in many different places online, including through instant messaging, on social networking sites, via email, and in chat rooms. The most common place cyberbullying occurs is over instant messenger. It can sometimes feel quite difficult to escape cyberbullying as bullies can use technology to target you at home or on your mobile, even if they're not right there in the room with you.  For the cyberbully, there's the problem that once you send a bullying message or post something online, everyone can see it, and you can't take it back.  Many cyberbullies think that no one will be able to find out who they are, but that's not true.

A lot of young people cyberbully deliberately - they set out to target another user online. But it's important to remember that some cyberbullying is done for a laugh, a bit of a joke. It doesn't mean it hurts any less, but often people just don't think about the consequences of their actions. And there is growing evidence that many young people don't take being online that seriously and hide behind anonymous profiles. Even though cyberbullying cannot physically hurt you, it can still leave you feeling mentally vulnerable and very upset. You can also feel scared, lonely and stressed and that there's no way out. Escaping cyberbullying can be very difficult. Because anyone can get access to a mobile phone or the internet almost anywhere, it can be tough for those on the receiving end to avoid it, even in the safety of their own home. Whether you or someone you know is being bullied, make sure you tell Argonath representatives what's going on.

Argonath safety tips:
- Never give out your real name
- Never tell anyone where you go to school
- Only meet someone from a chatroom in a public place with one of your parents or another adult. If they are genuinely who they say they are they will be happy to do this
- Never give out your address or telephone number
- Never agree to meet anyone from a chatroom on your own
- Tell an adult if someone makes inappropriate suggestions to you or makes you feel uncomfortable online

Argonath danger signs
- If the person tries to insist on having your address or phone number
- If the person emails you pictures which make you feel uncomfortable and which you would not want to show to anyone else
- If the person wants to keep their chats with you secret
- If the person tells you that you will get into trouble if you tell an adult what has been going on
- If the person emails you pictures which make you feel uncomfortable and which you would not want to show to anyone else
- If the person wants you to email them pictures of yourself or use a webcam in a way which makes you feel uncomfortable
- If the person shares information with you and tells you not to tell anyone else about it
- If the person wants to meet you and tells you not to let anyone know

(3) Computer & networking misuse
Argonath has a strong population in Europe and the USA. Laws are enforced throughout these countries which prohibit people from illegally accessing material, unauthorised access to computer systems and modification to computer material. The computer misuse act/law for example is operational in the UK:

The Computer Misuse Act is split into three sections and makes the following acts illegal:
- Unauthorized Access to Computer Material
- Unauthorized Access to Computer systems with intent to commit another offense
- Unauthorized Modification of Computer Material

The first section in the Computer Misuse Act forbids a person to use someone else's identification to access a computer, run a program or obtain any data, even if no personal gain is involved in such access. You also cannot change, copy, delete or move a program. The Computer Misuse Act also outlaws any attempts to obtain someone else's password. Obviously, if someone gives you their identification and you may legally use the computer, these laws under Unauthorized Access do not apply.

The second provision in the Computer Misuse Act is gaining access to a computer system in order to commit or facilitate a crime. You can't use someone else's system to send material that might be offensive or to start worms or viruses. You also can't give someone your identification so they can use your system for this purpose. This second part means that you would be facilitating someone else's intent or crime.

Unauthorized Modification in the Computer Misuse Act means you can't delete, change or corrupt data. Again, if you put a virus into someone else's system you would be violating the act. Usually committing Unauthorized Access only is thought a crime punishable by fine. Access with Intent, and Unauthorized Modification are considered more severe and may be punished by heavy fines and/or jail time.

A full copy is accessible here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/UKpga_19900018_en_1.htm

Argonath stance: We will not tolerate any form of computer misuse. We will where appropriate report offenses under laws such as the Computer Misuse Act which are commonly enforced throughout Europe/USA/worldwide to the relevant Police authorities.

(4) Blackmail:
Blackmail is the crime of threatening to reveal true information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand made upon the victim is met. This information is usually of an embarrassing, socially damaging, and/or incriminating nature. As the information is substantially true, the act of revealing the information may not be criminal in its own right nor amount to a civil law defamation; the crime is making demands in exchange for withholding it. English Law creates a much broader definition of blackmail, covering any unwarranted demands with menaces, whether involving revealing information or not. 

Argonath stance: We will not tolerate any form of blackmailing in Argonath out of game context. We will where appropriate report offenses under laws such as the Theft Act 1968 which are commonly enforced throughout Europe/USA/worldwide to the relevant Police authorities.

In addition to the above, we will also take strong action against (5):
- entering another person's PC by use of software (burglary/hacking)
- sexual abuse
- causing damages to or interruption of online services
- stealing a person's personal information or account (passwords. virtual possessions)

Argonath stance: We will not tolerate any breach of point (5). We will where appropriate report offenses under laws such as the Computer Misuse Act which are commonly enforced throughout Europe/USA/worldwide to the relevant Police authorities.

Argonath representatives - The Argonath representatives are made up of the managers, leaders and owners of the Argonath RPG community. We will take all reports seriously and will act upon them depending on the severity, nature and impact it may be forecasted to cause. We will involve the relevant authorities such as the Police throughout the world against those who seek to threaten our diversity, protective barriers, good will and platform with malicious intent in mind. If you have been directly or indirectly affected by any of the topics covered above, please contact a member of the Argonath representatives team. If you wish to report a offense, please ensure you have the time when the offense occured, evidence (screenshots are suffice) and any other details you may feel are relevant. We are always open to help any of our community members, as they are for us like friends and children. As parents we guide and punish, as friends we help whenever we can.

Reference:
http://www.google.co.uk/intl/en/landing/familysafety/

[Hidduh]

Thanks Frank. Could be really usefull if you are meeting up with someone you met on Argonath or on MSN.

[battle]

Great post frank

[(tr)Ollie]

Had a school assembly on this about 2 years ago. To be fair, it's common sense.

[Pazienza]

Ipse Dixit, thanks my mentor

[Chuck_Norris]

Please Add to this post, that if you are planning on meeting somebody from in the game, that you have to be carefull with who you meet. I for one, know many players tend to want to meet up with fellow players, yet some other players might not be who you think they are.

Very helpfull topic.

[lmpurity]

Correct guide, never give out your information out to stangers.

[Nexxt]

I think I can perfectly react on this subject.
As I am one of the people, who actually met some people from Argonath.

[WS]David and Davey (whatever his name is now).

Most important is, to make sure WHO you are going to meet.
There are a several of things, who are helping you in finding the truth, such as:

* Talk on Skype, and hear if someone is really like that age (as 41 sounds older then 17).
* See eachother on the webcam, and ask him to do some things to proof it (example: Write something on a paper).

Just find things what cannot be planned in front, and cannot be "faked" either.
Aswell, do NOT meet in SECRET (because your parents cannot know)...this will cause a lot of trouble and you're alone when you need help.

And as what Frank said aswell, try to contact their parents (it's even cool, as some people have really cool parents, eh David? :something weird.
Let me take an example as what happened with David...

He basically went to the Netherlands to watch a concert of AC/DC, me and David were some very good friends over the internet.
I made a joke like: "Haha, I should come aswell". And this joke went serious and I asked if he really wanted it.
He went to his dad and asked it and he would think about it, after seeing me on the webcam and hearing some basics things of me.

The cool thing is, when you see someone IRL with permission then it feels much more better then just do it secretly.
And secondly, you will learn to know his dad aswell, haha  (sorry, just had to say that he has an awesome father :P).

[Gandalf]

I would like to add the following:

Remember that there are laws in every country regarding the internet and its use. Apart from laws for 'traditional' crimes, in most countries the following is punishable by law:
- entering another person's PC by use of software (burglary/hacking)
- harrassment (cyber-bullying)
- sexual abuse
- blackmailing
- causing damages to or interruption of online services
- stealing a person's personal information or account (passwords. virtual possessions)

Within the Argonath community there are several people who are very close to law enforcement, and if at any time you feel threatened or harrassed do not hesitate to seek help from the owners and/or leaders ofr Argonath.
Not only do we take any complaint serious, we can also involve official law enformcement in almost any country in the world if needed.

We are always open to help any of our community members, as they are for us like friends and children. As parents we guide and punish, as friends we help whenever we can.

[Tai]

I think I can perfectly react on this subject.
As I am one of the people, who actually met some people from Argonath.

[WS]David and Davey (whatever his name is now).

Most important is, to make sure WHO you are going to meet.
There are a several of things, who are helping you in finding the truth, such as:

* Talk on Skype, and hear if someone is really like that age (as 41 sounds older then 17).
* See eachother on the webcam, and ask him to do some things to proof it (example: Write something on a paper).

Just find things what cannot be planned in front, and cannot be "faked" either.
Aswell, do NOT meet in SECRET (because your parents cannot know)...this will cause a lot of trouble and you're alone when you need help.

And as what Frank said aswell, try to contact their parents (it's even cool, as some people have really cool parents, eh David? :something weird.
Let me take an example as what happened with David...

He basically went to the Netherlands to watch a concert of AC/DC, me and David were some very good friends over the internet.
I made a joke like: "Haha, I should come aswell". And this joke went serious and I asked if he really wanted it.
He went to his dad and asked it and he would think about it, after seeing me on the webcam and hearing some basics things of me.

The cool thing is, when you see someone IRL with permission then it feels much more better then just do it secretly.
And secondly, you will learn to know his dad aswell, haha  (sorry, just had to say that he has an awesome father :P).

I met Bella everyday :o

[Nexxt]

Poor Bella :p.
But that's because it's your sister!!

[9r2e5i3k]

it's your sister!!

[SugarD]

I think I can perfectly react on this subject.
As I am one of the people, who actually met some people from Argonath.

[WS]David and Davey (whatever his name is now).

Most important is, to make sure WHO you are going to meet.
There are a several of things, who are helping you in finding the truth, such as:

* Talk on Skype, and hear if someone is really like that age (as 41 sounds older then 17).
* See eachother on the webcam, and ask him to do some things to proof it (example: Write something on a paper).

Just find things what cannot be planned in front, and cannot be "faked" either.
Aswell, do NOT meet in SECRET (because your parents cannot know)...this will cause a lot of trouble and you're alone when you need help.

And as what Frank said aswell, try to contact their parents (it's even cool, as some people have really cool parents, eh David? :something weird.
Let me take an example as what happened with David...

He basically went to the Netherlands to watch a concert of AC/DC, me and David were some very good friends over the internet.
I made a joke like: "Haha, I should come aswell". And this joke went serious and I asked if he really wanted it.
He went to his dad and asked it and he would think about it, after seeing me on the webcam and hearing some basics things of me.

The cool thing is, when you see someone IRL with permission then it feels much more better then just do it secretly.
And secondly, you will learn to know his dad aswell, haha  (sorry, just had to say that he has an awesome father :P).

Lol good addition, and I know the feeling man. I met Rory in real life a few months back and as usual, our conversation was pretty much everything police and ARFD related lol!

[Mr. Goobii]

I wish I was as good as you Frank to write. 

[Nexxt]

Lol, but it is!!