Good to know
Online friendships can be real and meaningful, but not everyone online has good intentions. Here’s how to tell if an online friend is trustworthy.
Good Online Friends:
What to know
- Respect your boundaries when you say you’re busy or don’t want to share something
- Are patient and don’t pressure you for personal information or photos
- Support you and make you feel good about yourself
- Are consistent, they don’t disappear and reappear randomly
- Encourage you to spend time with real-life friends and family
- Respect your privacy and don’t share your conversations with others
Red Flags in Online Friendships:
- They ask for personal details (address, phone number, school) right away
- They pressure you to share photos, especially inappropriate ones
- They want to keep your friendship secret from your parents
- They try to isolate you from real-life friends or family
- They get angry or manipulative when you set boundaries
- They’re much older than you and seem overly interested in your life
- They ask to meet in person privately or push for video calls when you’re not comfortable
How to Stay Safe:
- Never share personal information like your address, phone number, or school
- Don’t send photos you wouldn’t want others to see
- Tell a trusted adult about your online friendships
- If someone makes you uncomfortable, block them and tell an adult
- Remember: real friends respect your comfort and safety
Related articles
- How can I stay safe on social media?
- How can I support my friends when they feel sad?
- Can I use a heating pad safely?
Understanding starts here.
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