Are you ready to meet your new friend IRL? Here are some tips to help you stay safe once you’ve decided to meet your connection in person—and ensure they feel comfortable too!
Before the meetup:
- Use our video chat or voice call feature to “meet” your friend virtually before you take it offline. That way, you can be 100% sure they’re who they say they are!
- Do some background research. Checking social media to make sure a connection is who they say they are is something many people do and a great way to raise any red flags.
- The first time you meet, make sure it’s in a public place.
- Tell somebody close to you your friends’ name, where you’re going, and when—and you’ll contact them once you’re safely home.
During the meetup:
- Don’t give out private information about yourself right away, like your home or office address.
- Always feel free to politely leave the meetup. If you don’t feel comfortable, it’s important to put yourself first.
- Find an advocate nearby, like a bartender or server. Enlist their help to get you out of an uncomfortable situation by saying you have an urgent call.
- If it’s something more serious, ask the bartender or server to help you organize a way to get home—or call the police.