How to stay safe talking to strangers online

1. Decide what you will never share

• Full name, phone number, home address, school or workplace
• Social media handles, usernames or email
• Photos, your face, or anything identifying in the background
• OTPs, passwords, bank or UPI details — ever

2. Learn the red flags

• They push to move to WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram or Snapchat quickly.
• They ask for money, gift cards, crypto or “help” with a payment.
• They ask your age, school or whether your parents are home.
• They turn the conversation sexual when you didn’t want that.
• They pressure you to keep the conversation secret.

3. Use the tools — that is what they are for

On BlindTalk, Block ends the call instantly and you will never be matched with that person again. Report sends the conversation details to moderators; when several people report the same person, they are paused automatically. The other person is never told who reported or blocked them.

4. Trust your gut

You don’t owe a stranger an explanation. If something feels off, tap End or Next. If anyone threatens you or someone else, contact local emergency services (112 in India) and tell someone you trust.

5. Remember the upside

Most strangers are just people who wanted a conversation too. Keep the personal details private, and you can enjoy the surprising, funny and sometimes moving chats that make talking to strangers worth it.