Handling Online Meeting Requests
Another user might ask you on our platform to meet them in person. Unless you already knew this person before connecting with them on our platform, we highly recommend not setting up or agreeing to a meeting in real life.
The Dangers of Meeting Online Contacts
There have been many known and documented cases of online predators and cyberstalkers messaging people for an amount of time in a very agreeable manner in order to gain trust. They then use this earned trust to ask for or arrange an IRL (in real life) meet.
Meeting up with a stranger you met online is an especially dangerous thing to do, even if it does not seem like it. This is especially so if:
- You are underage. That is, you are younger than 18 years old.
- You are underage and younger than the person you are talking to online.
- You have not told a trusted friend (or if you are a minor, an adult family member) about this person and the meeting.
- The person does not want you to tell other people about them or the conversation between you two.
- The person asks to meet you alone.
How to Respond to Meeting Requests
A good thing to do would be to let them know that you do not meet up with people you meet online and that you're not comfortable with the situation. If they continue to press the issue after you've declined or make you uncomfortable in any way, discontinue chatting with them immediately and block them using our "Block" feature.
For Users Under 18
If you are below 18 years old and somebody on our platform suggests or asks to meet:
- Do not meet them or agree to meet them. Meeting somebody you met and only engaged with online is an incredibly unsafe thing to do and creates a situation of unfamiliarity and danger.
- Do not retaliate or engage in an argument with them. Many online stalkers, predators and bullies are looking for engagement and are experienced in twisting your words, taunting you and wasting your time. Do not give them what they're looking for.
- Do not keep it to yourself. Telling your parents about the situation and about the person is a good move. Older people who are trustworthy are also good people to reach out to; a school counsellor, a close friend, family members and teachers are examples of such people.
- Don't interact with them. You might think that further talking with them, insulting them, scolding them or retaliating in some form is a good thing to do but it's always not. Online bullies, cyberstalkers and predators are much more experienced in arguing, insulting, spamming and convincing people than you are. They often crave attention and more interaction as it gives them more opportunities to trick and anger you. Do not risk falling into their trap.
Using Our Safety Features
Do not hesitate to use our safety features. Our platform has several built-in safety features that are meant to be used in these situations. Do not hesitate using them at all; these are tools meant for you. You can:
- Block the user
- Ignore the user
- Report their account to us for violating our Code of Conduct