Safety guidelines
One of the great advantages of OU study is that you’ll come across all sorts of other students, from diverse backgrounds and places, across a wide age range and with a variety of experience.
Computer forums and chat rooms allow everyone to engage in discussions on all kinds of topics with fellow students, who may come from all over the UK, the European Union, or across the world.
It is important that, while you enjoy those discussions with other students, you keep some safety guidelines in mind.
- All OU forums and chat rooms are moderated, and any inappropriate messages will be deleted. If you feel uncomfortable about any approach from another student, let someone know, such as your tutor or the conference moderator, or use the online systems complaints procedure.
- There is information that you should not share – don’t give out the following personal details online
- address
- telephone number
- your favourite meeting places.
- If you’ve had online contact with another student and decide you’d like to meet, first talk on the telephone together before you do so, to help you to get to know them better.
- When you make arrangements to meet with other students, choose a public place, and a time when where there are other people around, and let someone know where you’ll be.
These are sensible precautions that you should take whenever you are online, whether for study, work or leisure. Don’t let them worry you or prevent you from taking part in online forums.
There’s no doubt that our student diversity is a wonderful part of the OU student’s experience – you may well make some lifelong friends.
Next: Laptop health and safety advice
