How to Blog Safely

We want you to share your international exchange experience with the world. It is important for other young people with disabilities to see people just like themselves traveling, living in other cultures, learning, and being included; however, the Internet is like a crowded concert... you never know who is standing next to you and you have to be smart when it comes to keeping yourself safe while sharing your experience.

Rule 1. Do not use your full name.

The form asks you for it but it is not required. Do Not fill it in.

Rule 2. Do not list your birthday.

This is one of the doors for identity theft. It will also give away things like your age which some people will use to find out more personal information about you.

Rule 3. Do not display your email.

Instead put a link to our Peer-to- Peer network and let them ask us for your information and tell us why they want it.

When you become a blogger please Become a Peer in our Peer-to-Peer Network, and let us know what kind of contact information to give out.

Rule 4. Do not list your IM username.

Instead put a link to our Peer-to- Peer network and let them ask us for your information and tell us why they want it. This way you do not get unknown people contacting you out of the blue.

Rule 5. List only your country under location.

Never give out specific details about your address on the Internet. It is very easy for people to find people by mapping your address. Instead enable comments on your blog and /or send them to our  Peer-to- Peer network and respond to questions that way.

Rule 6. Under your "about me" paragrah and all the other interest categories be very general.

For example you could write:

I am freshman in high school. I went on exchange with (fill in the blank) program. I am Deaf, or I use a wheelchair. My exchange was in (fill in the country).

Rule 7. Pictures are great.

But make sure you are not wearing a shirt with your name (like a team jersey or letterman's jacket). Also do not forget to put a line describing the picture for example "Me at the Eiffel tower."

Rule 8. Do not check the box that say "display real name."

Rule 9. When naming yor blog use the word "access" so we can link to it easily.

We want other people with disabilities to be energized by your adventures and have one of their own; so email pr@miusa.org with the subject "New blogger".

Also Become a Peer and help others. Find out more about our Peer-to-Peer Network.

Happy blogging we look forward to hearing about your adventures!!!