(con)
WARNING SIGNS:
★ Your 'friend' asks for lots of personal info about you. This isn't just a name, an address, or an email. It's your daily activities and VERY specific personal hobbies. Of course, obviously you'll share hobbies online: but I mean every single thing you do and how you do them, and where you go to do them...remember how much info you've shared with someone and make sure you're not oversharing. Think: CAN SOMEONE FIGURE OUT WHO I REALLY AM IRL WITH ALL THIS INFO?
(con)

(con)
SIDE NOTE: People can do something called "aggregating information". This involves making several accounts with seemingly different personas or identities, all of which actually the same person. By doing this, someone can get LOTS of info about you--you might share some info with someone, thinking you're safe because you didn't share X info, and thus they can't find you using that info alone. But what if that person you're chatting with is actually also another person you're (con)

(con) talking with? This is quite the possibility. Here's a tip: imagine that ALL the info you share online (no matter the person) is all going into a calculator that tries to guess who you are. Before sharing info, think: how much will the calculator will be able to narrow me down using this info alongside all the other info I've shared? If it's too much, be careful!

(con) ★Does your 'friend' compliment you too much, or agree too much with things you say? Obviously, you're going to get compliments on Social Media. But saying things like "you're a beautiful, smart person who doesn't deserve any bull! And I think you deserve better :)" (I'm actually toning it down here) as SOON as you meet or not long after you meet is a red flag, especially someone you randomly met online. If you share your opinion on something and they agree while complimenting you (con)

(con) severely (think like the bad guy's lackies in cartoon movies -- "Yeah, good one boss!" (no sarcasm) to the worst thing ever), it's definitely a huge red flag. Obviously whoever compliments you profusely is NOT always a dangerous predator (I should know: I love making people smile and I love giving compliments! /gen), but keep an eye out. (con)

(con) Side Note: Predators like to get their victims' trust so they can go in easily. If someone is literally doing everything that would make you trust them with their private chats to you, be VERY careful. Anything that seems like overly mushy moves to build trust (especially for a random person on the internet) is a red flag.

★Pay attention to how your 'friend' types. This is an easier tip for myself, as I can detect subtle things everywhere in everything...but there's certain things in your 'friend''s typing style that could be a bit odd.
- Don't trust emoticons. Just because someone uses emojis doesn't mean you can trust them/they are a minor as well! It's a weirdly specific thing to say, but still. It's a subtle trick.
- Pay attention to frequency in spelling mistakes. Smaller amounts of mistakes suggests (con)

(con) a more calculated typer in a 'casual' situation--especially if they fall under the red flags of tip 1.
- They seem closed off: they want to know a LOT about you, but don't seem to tell you anything about themself...wow! "You like Zelda? How funny! I like it too. By the way, do you have any online games on your switch? I REALLY like those. "
- Or they seem all too willing to buddy up and get personal...

i just wanted to say- THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS-
i got gr00med online when i was younger several times from not be safe!!! this is so freakin important!!!!

(con) ★ NEVER go to meet up with someone irl that you met online, especially if you just met them a couple weeks or even months ago. Predators can be committed. Wait a couple years to make sure you know the person before meeting up with them, and even then, make sure they aren't suspicious and do not meet with them privately: meet in a crowded area, like mall or convention center. Don't ask them to come to your house or their's. If you are minor, you MUST consult your parents before (con)

(con) meeting your friend, telling them EXACTLY what you'll be doing and who you'll be meeting. Keep no secrets! Not to mention that if something happens, your parents be there to help and contact the authorities/give you what you need. Note that if your 'friend' discourages you from bringing anyone else if you ask/meeting in a place with people, that's a big red flag.

★Last but certainly not least, 'one time' of doing something weird with someone online is NOT okay, even if they tell you otherwise--ESPECIALLY if they don't agree with your consent in saying no. NO MEANS NO. END OF STORY.

THANK YOU FOR READING. ASK ANY QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS! PLEASE STAY SAFE; WE NEVER KNOW THE WOLF!

@Sugar-Sweets You're very very very welcome!!! <3 I made this post hoping to help kids stay aware online. I've had many icky encounters because I once didn't take online safety seriously. However, online predatory practices is a really serious thing that kids fail to understand.

FR-
i cringe at how 'open' i was with info like that, even as recent as last year!! u,u''
its so ez to go with feelings and not rules when ur young... and sadly it can have terrible life-changing effects!! qwq

I remember around the last few weeks of school we had an assembly where a detective came and lectured us on online safety for about two hours

It made me start worry there are predators here, especially demo users and people that seem to have several separate accounts

Oh and the amount dating here concerns me sometimes

I even have slight suspicions on one person

Tysm for making this :]

Can i add, DONT PUT SUPER PERSONAL INFO IF YOU DO A MEET THE ARTIST!!!

The main things peds are looking out for is your age and gender, they also seek out emotionally distressed people/kids.

@Unaone the dating here scares me too, for the most part nobody knows anyone here, so you could potentially be 'dating' someone under/over age...its why i dislike ppl doing nsfw rp, they should high key be banned

@ImmortalEyes Exactly! Thank you for sharing that bit--Here I was writing more in general, though that's DEFINITELY something important...I've seen some people here share their state, city, EXACT height, and even blood type. Seriously, they have to think over what they're sharing...additionally, you're definitely more vulnerable if you depict yourself as such. Showing you're underconfident, confused, or otherwise essentially puts you out as fresh meat. Seriously, be careful.

@M4RSB4RS You're very, very, very welcome! /gen

yo my dudes reading this - a lot of people forget u CAN report stuff like that- NEVER think 'they havnt done anything that bad' ' its not that serious' If you feel uncomfortable in anyway ,report it - there is probaly someone feeling the same way about the post or convo. You wont be in trouble- dont feel pressured to not report it. Stay Safe <3

also that was extremely informative- ty!!

PREACH DUDE !!!! /vsrs /vvvvvp0s /vnm

@beep_ i generally do report stuff like that, it just doesnt get taken down unfortunately.

@ImmortalEyes

Isn't NSFW roleplay banned though? I remember two permabans and a giant wave of drama when a minor and a near-adult were doing it.

Come to think of it, dating here seems to cause 74% of drama here lately