Talking to someone you have never met can be fun, and most conversations are harmless. A few habits make the difference between a good chat and a bad experience. None of them need any special tools — just a little care.
Keep your identity out of the chat
The person on the other side knows nothing about you unless you tell them. Keep it that way, at least at first.
- Do not share your full name, phone number, home or college address, workplace, or social media handles.
- Avoid details that narrow you down: your school name, the street you live on, the shop below your flat.
- On video, check what is behind you. Mail with your address, a uniform, or a window view can give away more than you think.
- Never share photos of ID cards, bank details, OTPs or UPI PINs. No genuine person needs them.
StrangerFun already masks phone numbers and email addresses in messages on your device, but it cannot catch everything. Your own judgement is the best filter.
Trust the uncomfortable feeling
If a conversation starts to feel wrong, you do not owe anyone an explanation. Common warning signs:
- Pressure to move to another app, especially one with disappearing messages.
- Requests for photos, video of your body, or "just one" private picture.
- Sudden flattery, love declarations, or a sad story that ends in a request for money.
- Questions about your age, where you live, or whether you are alone, early in a chat.
- Threats of any kind.
Press Next to leave. You can also Report and Block — see how to report and block.
Video chat specifics
- You can start with your camera off and turn it on only when you feel comfortable.
- Remember that the other person could record their screen. Do not do anything on camera you would not want saved.
- If someone shows something explicit or harmful, end the chat and report it.
Never meet up alone
If you do want to meet someone from an online chat, tell a friend where you are going, meet in a busy public place, and arrange your own transport. Better still, get to know them over time on a platform where you can verify who they are.
If something has already gone wrong
Stay calm and do not pay anyone who threatens you. Our guide on recognising scams and sextortion explains what to do, including how to reach India's cybercrime helpline, 1930.
StrangerFun is for adults aged 18 and over only. If you think someone you are talking to is a minor, end the chat and report it.