Is it wise to make friends online?

Answer 1

Yes, it's safe to talk with people online, just as it's safe to talk with people you meet while you're out shopping, and so on, provided you understand that you have only these people's word for who and what they are. Anyone can be anything they like, online. And, unlike a stranger you meet when you're buying a coffee, the person you meet online is free to be less than truthful about such things as their age, sex, location, and so on. Photos can be posted, but you've no way of knowing if the photo matches the person at the keyboard.

As in other contact situations, people frequently tweak facts around for more or less harmless motives, but there are the few who don't. Mostly people who are a problem online are after money, one way or another, but there are a small number who might have more sinister motives.

A lot of fuss is made about young people being vulnerable in online contact with total strangers who might be less than honest, but in fact all age groups are at risk.

So take care not to give any information that can identify you in any way. It goes without saying you'd never give personal ID numbers, street address, phone numbers, and things like that, but there's a lot of information you can inadvertently give about yourself, or about friends or family, which can lead to identification. Think before you type.

The very few suspect people using the net for the wrong reasons are good at researching their targets, and every small piece of information makes you easier to find and identify.

Enjoy contact and communication online, but take the same care you'd take if talking to a total stranger you'd met in public somewhere, or who came to your door selling something.

Answer 2

Theoretically speaking, it is possible to safely befriend someone. Of course, you don't know if the person is who they say they are until you actually meet. That said, the meeting part is the most dangerous. The best ways to be safe is to try to only befriend people who have photo identification. Also, if the person who says they are sixteen is blogging at 3 in the morning, they are probably much older than that. If they send you embarrassing pictures, hate mail, or harass you, block them and tell the site people. This person is probably a predator who is trying to intimidate you. If they ask you to meet, that's a red flag right there. Test them out and say 'O.K., my dad and I will meet you after he gets out of Advanced Karate class' or something like that. If they then split out of meeting, they were probably going to go Chris Brown on you. And above all, go with your gut.

Answer 3

Yea it's good to make friends online... you just have to be careful and really get to know the person before giving out any kind of personal information