Choose a username that does not identify you
A nickname can express your interests without including your full name, birth year, school or the handle you use everywhere else. Reusing a distinctive username across public accounts can make those accounts easier to connect.
Before you chat with teenagers online, check what your profile says as well as what you plan to type. You do not have to complete every optional profile field.
Look beyond the subject of a photo
A profile picture can include a uniform, a street sign, a school badge, a parcel label or a reflection. Check the corners and background before uploading. A cropped image or a non-identifying picture may be a more comfortable choice.
Do not assume an image is private because saving it is inconvenient. Someone may still take a screenshot or copy it through other means. Share only what you are comfortable losing control of.
Keep location clues general
You can discuss a hobby or your day without naming your school, your regular route, or the place you are about to visit. Avoid posting live location information or a timetable of where you will be.
Be careful with links to personal accounts, too. A public profile elsewhere may reveal a surname, sports team, location or contact details that you kept out of teen chat.
Treat pressure as a reason to pause
A person who asks for a secret, pushes you to move to another app, requests a private image, or makes you feel guilty for saying no does not need more of your personal information.
You can stop replying. You can also block or ignore someone and report the interaction. A profile claiming to be your age does not establish the person’s identity.
Know where to get help
Check the room’s report and ignore tools before you need them. If someone threatens you, shares your details, or asks for sexual content, stop the interaction and tell a trusted adult. Keep relevant usernames and messages if you can do so safely, and use the site’s reporting process.
Read the 808 chat safety guide and room rules. No moderation system can remove every risk, so your own boundaries still matter.
A quick check before joining
- My username does not reveal my real identity.
- My picture and background do not expose private details.
- I have kept my school, phone number and location to myself.
- I know I can leave a conversation without explaining why.
- I know how to report a problem and whom to ask for help.
If you meet the age requirements and feel ready, enter teen chat. A comfortable conversation should leave room for your boundaries.
