5 simple rules for safe online conversations with strangers
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Anonymity does not replace caution. Here is what to keep in mind in any chat with random people:
1. Don't share your phone number, address or other details that make you easy to find. 2. If your partner insistently asks for personal information, that is a reason to be wary, not to trust. 3. Any threats or strange behavior are a reason to end the conversation right away and report it. 4. If your partner says they are under 18, stop communicating and submit a complaint. 5. A virtual AI partner (if there is one in the chat) is always clearly labeled as a bot — don't confuse it with a real person.
These rules are not about distrusting everyone, but about keeping the conversation comfortable and safe for both sides.