Safety

How to talk to strangers online safely

Most people you meet are just like you: curious, a bit bored, up for a chat. A few aren't. These are the habits that keep a conversation with a stranger fun, wherever you have it.

A stranger can't hurt you with what they don't know. Until you really know someone, and maybe even then, don't share:

Your full name, home address, or the name of your school or workplace.
Your phone number, email, or social media accounts. A username is often enough to find the rest.
Photos of yourself, your home, or the view from your window.
Where you'll be and when.
Passwords, verification codes, and bank or card details. Nobody ever needs these to chat.

Small details add up. A first name, a city and a job title together are often enough to find someone. You can be warm and open about what you think and feel without saying where you are.

Know what the other person can see

On MellowTalk, a stranger hears your voice, sees which country you're in, and reads what you type in the call chat. They never see your name: you get a random one, like QuietOtter42, which only friends see.

Calls connect directly between the two devices whenever possible, which keeps the sound clear. That means the other person's device can see your IP address. An IP address usually reveals your internet provider and a rough area, often the city, but not your street or home. If that bothers you, a VPN shows them the VPN's address instead.

MellowTalk never records calls, and in-call messages aren't stored. But the other person could record you without asking, even though the house rules forbid it. Don't say anything you'd hate to hear played back.

Spot the red flags

Scams on stranger chat sites follow a few patterns. If someone does any of these, end the call:

They push you to move to another app, like Snapchat, Telegram or WhatsApp, especially early on. Sometimes that's harmless, but it's also how scammers get you somewhere with fewer rules and more about you.
They ask for photos, especially intimate ones, or offer to send theirs first.
They bring up money: an emergency, an investment, crypto, gift cards, or a "small favour".
They ask for a code that's just been sent to your phone. That code lets them take over your account.
They're very intense, very fast: flattery, declarations of love, or guilt when you want to leave.
They want details about where you live, who you live with, or when you're home alone.

If someone threatens or blackmails you

Sextortion is when someone gets an intimate image or recording, or claims to have one, and threatens to share it unless you pay or send more. It's common, it's a crime, and it's never your fault.

Don't pay and don't send anything more. Paying almost never ends it. It tells them you will pay again.
Stop replying and block them everywhere they can reach you.
Keep evidence: screenshots of messages, usernames and payment requests.
Report it: on MellowTalk with Report → Threats, blackmail or doxxing, and to the police.
Stop the image spreading. StopNCII.org helps adults keep intimate images off major platforms without uploading them anywhere.

Leave whenever you like

You don't owe anyone a conversation, an explanation or a goodbye. On MellowTalk:

Skipanytime

Ends the call and finds you someone new. They're not told why.

Blockfor good

You'll never be matched with them again, and they can't call you back. Blocking also removes them as a friend. You can block from the call or from your call history afterwards.

Reportserious things

For someone who seems under 18, threats, blackmail or sharing someone's personal details, explicit sexual acts, hate speech, or anything else illegal. Reporting also blocks them, and every report is read by a person. Anyone who breaks the rules can be removed from random matching for good.

Creepy or rude, but nothing like the list above? Just block them. You'll never meet them here again.

For parents

MellowTalk is for adults only, 18 and over, and it isn't meant for children or teenagers. Everyone confirms they're 18 or older before their first call. That's a promise, not an ID check, so it can be broken. Anyone who seems under 18 can be reported in one tap, every report is read by a person, and anyone underage is removed from random matching. If your child has been contacted or threatened online, in the US you can get help at Take It Down (NCMEC), and in any country you can go to the police.

If a call leaves you shaken

Hang up, take a breath, and talk to someone you trust. If you're in danger, call your local emergency number. If you're struggling and want to talk to someone right now, findahelpline.com lists free, confidential helplines in your country.

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