Safety Tips

DareNET is a lot of fun and you'll meet lots of great people here. Unfortunately, you may run into some people who may not be so nice. Here are some guidelines you should follow when you interact with other DareNET users:

• If you are involved in a chat that makes you feel uncomfortable, stop chatting.

• Never reveal anything about yourself that might allow strangers to locate you. That means keeping your last name, address, phone number, school or workplace private.

• If you must meet somebody you met on DareNET in person, do so in a public place and bring a friend.

• Be honest about your age and respect the age limits channel owners set for their channels.

• If you ever feel physically threatened, contact your local authorties.

• If you post a picture of yourself in your profile, keep it clean!

• People may not be who they say they are. Be careful when making new friends online.

• Don't believe everything you read in channels and discussion forums. A little skepticism is healthy.

• If you get a message that is mean or insulting, don't respond. Responses just encourage bullies.

• If somebody sends you unwanted email through your DareNET profile, use the "Ignore" and/or "Report to Moderator" functions.

• If you're under 18, only use DareNET under adult supervision.

• If you're under 18 and someone solicits sex, threatens you, or does anything else that worries you, immediately tell your parents and contact the proper authorities (for example, the FBI if you're in the United States). If you have the text of a chat session, email, or discussion forum post where the contact occurred, please send it to abuse@darenet.org.