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Protect yourself and your family with a safe screen name
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Choosing a safe screen name in applications such as instant messengers can mean the difference between, in extreme cases, life or death, or, in more regular cases, the difference between getting stalked and cyber-bullied and not having these things happen to you. Follow these guidelines to choose a safe screen name that will make you anonymous online.

Things You Should Know

  • Never use your real name as an online screen name.
  • Avoid giving away important personal info such as your age or ZIP code.
  • Consider using a beloved pet or stuffed animal's name as your screen name.
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

The Basics of Safe Screen Names

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  1. It is wise to choose a screen name that doesn't include your first and last name, such as "Sally Johnson" or "Joe Harris". It is especially important that you don't reveal your last name.
    • The more unique your name, the wiser it is to guard it for professional use only.
  2. It is wise to choose a screen name that does not give away your age, such as "Roses17" or "Jelly 34". Most people would be able to tell what this means.
    • This isn't just for the very young. As you grow older, you may not want people guessing just how old you've become!
    • This includes graduation year dates; don't use them as they give away too much self-identifying information.
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  3. It is wise to choose a screen name that does not give away where you live, such as "Denver Chick Lucy", or "Madison Avenue". Also avoid usernames that would reveal your ZIP code, such as "Logan21508". Don't even give away your state, city or country.
  4. Having a screen name such as "I Hate Sally" or "I Beat Up Joe" obviously will get some people angry. Names with political or religious agendas attached to them will rub a lot of people up the wrong way too––avoid using them. Remember too, that what might be funny or ironic where you live might be disparaging or even unkind somewhere else in the world; you are interacting with people from all over the world, so be worldly wise.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Ways to Choose Screen Names

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  1. Come up with a first or a last name totally unrelated to you. Add only your first or your last name to the stage name but not both. Or, don't even do that––add together two totally unrelated names you like the sound of together. Everyone will know you by your stage-name style screen name! For example: Adelaide Anders or Martha Smith.
  2. Combine the name of a favorite pet or object with a surname or other name. For example, Woofie Bugbear; Trixie Paws; Reptilian Greg; Ovalbowl Harry; PurpleCrayonMarsha.
  3. There are plenty of online name generators that will do the work for you. You can choose from pirates, fantasy beings, animals, favorite words, etc.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What kind of information is OK to give out over the internet?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Your username. Lots of people think your username is not safe to give out. It is, but never use your username, or parts of it, in your password, such as Username: Awesomekid4536, Password: Awesomekid.
  • Question
    Can you provide four examples of information that should not be posted or given out?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Sure. Example one: Where you live -- because strangers or people with an ax to grind can find you. Example two: Your real name -- because people will look it up. Whether that's good or bad depends on what you do, who you are, etc. Example three: Password -- because people can log into your account and steal your content, identity, money and life. Example four: Your age -- because some people prey on the very young and the very old with scams, hacks or improper advances.
  • Question
    If I ever get involved in a chat room conversation that makes me feel uncomfortable or in danger for any reason, what should I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Log off and tell and tell a site moderator and/or trusted adult about the chatroom. If it's dangerous enough, contact the police.
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Tips

  • Do not include the year you will be graduating high school/college if you are a minor. Examples:
    • "pizzalover2016"
    • "chatsalot2019"
  • Initials are okay, but not all of them. For example, "L.R.M. Cutie Pie" would not be safe, but M bird lover would be okay.
  • Wise screen name decisions may include the following:
    • "Pizza Love"
    • "I Love Daisies"
    • "Italian Pasta Rocks"
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About This Article

Stan Kats
Reviewed by:
Cybersecurity Expert
This article was reviewed by Stan Kats. Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. This article has been viewed 156,747 times.
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Co-authors: 50
Updated: October 18, 2024
Views: 156,747
Categories: Instant Messaging
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