Have you ever confided in a “friend” that you met online? Did you share an intimate secret with them?
Being curious, interested or lonely can sometimes make us want to meet this virtual “friend” in person. But who is hiding behind this person? What are their real intentions?
To make contact and meet someone “in person” without taking precautions can be risky.
Even though some of these meetings may be fun, you are exposing yourself to risks when you decide to meet in person someone with who you have only had contact on the web:
- Maybe this person is using a false identity (gender, age, etc.)
- Maybe this person is hiding their real intentions (physical aggression, rape, blackmail, threats, kidnapping, etc.)
Even if you don’t meet your web friend “in person”, you are still exposing yourself to risk by meeting them if you have given this person personal information that can help them to track you: the name of your college, of your street, of your regular bus route… By accumulating all of this information, someone can find you. Do you really want that person knocking on your door without first being invited?