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female
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anonymous
writes: hi, im 16 and this guy i have been talking to on the internet is 20. i do really like him, but im aware that i shouldn't trust him beacause i dont really know him. Is talking to people on the internet always a bad thing? or can it sometimes be ok? i thought that he was nice, but recently i really really have started to like him. He hasn't been pushy or asking me to meet him or talk on the phone to him..does he sound decent enough? i think it would be good to speak to him on the phone a few times.. is that safe? ive seen pictures of him and hes seen pictures of me..im just a mixed up teenager who is unsure what risks i could be taking..any advice please thank u, u lovely people XXX
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (24 September 2007): i don't think you should have done that because if you talk to him on the phone ghe could trace you call and or track you to your house and stalk you and by sending him pictures is bad also because he could put up signs and or make it look like you do XXX
A
female
reader, Cutieali +, writes (5 November 2006):
I myself have met both new friends and guys over the net and have never personnally had any problems, however I always make sure that I met people in a public place and also if possible always with a friends. Why don't you suggest that you take a friend with you and also that he brings a friend too, that way no only will you feel safer but it helps with that awkwardness which you feel when first meeting someone. If he is genuine he will totally understand and will probably prefer someone with him himself.
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (4 November 2006): It basically depends on the people and the circmstances.I myself met my partner online we chatted for a month or so met up and weve been together now for a year and its been a good year no arguments etc.I must stress you need some caution the first time you meet up take some friends to lurk in the background dont give out your address etc until you know you can fully trust the person.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (4 November 2006): heyaa im 17! and i was talking to this lad for 2 years on msn! we are very close now, and speak on the phone, txt, msn al the time! however i saw him on webcam and spoke 2 many of his friends and saw hes piczo sites and all this girl and boy m8s so i felt quite safe! when i met him and he was fine! just becarful people on PCs can be very crafty! id make sure i atlease see him on cam before meeting!! take care hun x
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female
reader, LISAG +, writes (3 November 2006):
 Meeting people through the internet is becoming increasingly popular and yet there is still great suspiscion surrounding it. I have met lots of people through the internet myself. You do have to be careful if you do go ahead & decide to meet someone in person. It is definitely not always a bad thing. Speaking on the phone is totally safe (in the United Kingdom it is anyway)! As long as you don't give out your address or other personal details I don't see any problem talking on the phone. The one thing you have to be aware of is that on the internet people can pretend to be someone completely different to who they are. It has been in the news (in UK) that paedophiles use the internet to "groom" young people and trick them into meeting up and it has been known for people to be abused, attacked etc. This is a very real threat/possibility. You can though ensure that you meet up with someone safely. All you have to do is follow at least one of these steps a). Meet in a public place. b). Take a friend with you. c). if you do go alone make sure someone knows where you are going, who you are meeting and what time you expect to be back. d). make your own way to the meeting place & your own way home. e). don't do anything you feel uncomfortable with (i.e. accepting a lift home - don't get talked into it - don't be scared to say no to people). You must remember that strangers are strangers, you can just as easily meet a stranger in a park as you can online, in a night club or wherever really ! Common sense is key. Also bear in mind that I think "some" people on line do actually have problems meeting people in ordinairy situations, hence being on line, but I think that is probably the exception and not the rule ! I don't want to scare you but just be extra careful meeting in person. Also remember that many parents will also be generally fearful of on line relationships/meetings because of what the media portrays. This is rightly so, but you can meet strangers everywhere like I said - not only on the internet. Remember the steps above about how to be safe, if the person you are meeting dosen't like the "safe" arrangements don't meet them. Let me know how you get on.
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A
female
reader, Scarlet +, writes (3 November 2006):
 It isn't always bad talking to people on the internet, you just have to be more wary than usual as you don't know their background, if their pictures are really of them and so on.
If you have been chatting to him for a while and you really feel that you want to speak to him, maybe ring him on a witheld number so that if any doubt ever creeps in, you are safe because he doesn't have any of your contact details.
I wouldn't ever arrange to meet him if I were you unless you have really got to know him, and if your family approve, and if you do ever decide to meet him, take a friend or a member of your family, just to be safe. If he is genuine, he will understand. I hope this helps x
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