How to talk to strangers online safely
Chatting with strangers is one of the most fun things you can do online — but it only stays fun when you keep control of your privacy. Here are the rules to follow every time.
Keep your identity private
The golden rule of anonymous chat: you are a stranger too, and you can stay one. Never share your real name, phone number, home address, school or workplace, social media handles, or anything financial. Once you say it, you cannot unsay it — and you do not know who is on the other side.
What to share instead
You can have a great conversation without giving away who you are. Talk about your hobbies, your interests, the music and games you love, the places you have travelled, your opinions and your sense of humour. Shared interests are exactly what the interest matching feature is for — a way to connect on something real without sharing anything personal.
When to end a chat
Trust your gut. If someone makes you uncomfortable, asks for personal details, or pushes you to move the conversation to another app, you do not owe them an explanation. Press Next and move on. There is always another stranger waiting, and leaving is always the right call when something feels off.
Report and block
Stranger Chat gives you two tools for when someone crosses the line. Report ends the chat and saves a record of the recent conversation for review. Block permanently stops that person from matching with you again. Both are instant, and no one is told who reported them. See the full safety guide for step-by-step instructions.
For more on staying safe, read is random video chat safe? — then try it yourself in a random chat.
- Keep exploring:
- All blog posts
- Safety center
- Anonymous chat
Frequently asked questions
- What should I never share with a stranger online?
Never share your real name, phone number, home address, school or workplace, social media handles, or any financial information. Once something is said, you cannot take it back. - How do I block someone on Stranger Chat?
Use the block button in the chat. The block is permanent for your device and the person will not be able to match with you again. - Is it safe to turn on my camera?
Your camera is optional. If you turn it on, make sure nothing in the background reveals your location or personal details. If you are unsure, keep it off and use text chat instead.