To ensure that your experience on adopte is both enjoyable and secure, we invite you to read these tips, which should be followed both when communicating online and when meeting in person.
1. Protect your personal information
On the Internet, you communicate with people you don't know yet. It is therefore essential to protect your personal information as best you can:
- Never disclose sensitive information: keep your phone numbers, addresses, financial or professional information confidential.
- Use adopte's messaging service for your exchanges: avoid giving out your email address or social media accounts too early in the conversation. By continuing your exchanges on adopte as much as possible, you can communicate safely through the platform.
- Be wary of external links: never click on links sent by other users you are communicating with. These links may lead to dangerous websites or be used to steal your personal information
2. Be vigilant when communicating online
No matter how intense your conversations are, it is important to remain vigilant:
- Know how to spot warning signs: for example, if someone asks you for your personal information too quickly, insists that you leave the platform to talk elsewhere, or tries to play with your emotions, this should raise a red flag. If in doubt, don't hesitate to report any suspicious profiles or behavior to our team.
- Use your common sense: unfortunately, online scams are a reality. Be wary of stories that seem too good to be true, requests for money (even small amounts), or people who claim to be in an emergency situation: their intentions are usually malicious
- Take your time: don't rush into anything, and take the time to get to know someone a little better before sharing more intimate details or considering meeting up
3. Take precautions before meeting in person
Ready to move from chatting online to meeting in person? Before taking the leap, it's crucial to take certain precautions:
- Meet in a public place: choose a public, busy place, such as a café or restaurant. Avoid isolated places, especially for a first meeting
- Tell at least one friend or family member: always let someone you trust know about your plans. Give them details about the location, time, etc. Don't hesitate to ask them to contact you at some point during the meeting to make sure everything is okay
- Be prepared and self-reliant: plan your route and arrange your own transportation. If you feel unsafe, you should be able to leave the location easily.
- Stay sober: we advise you to limit your consumption of alcohol or any substance that could impair your judgment in order to maintain control of your physical and mental abilities
4. Protect yourself against inappropriate behavior
You have the right to refuse any request or proposal that makes you feel uncomfortable:
- Set your limits: be clear about what you will and will not accept. Do not hesitate to speak up if a situation makes you feel uncomfortable
- Trust your instincts: if you feel uncomfortable or something seems suspicious, quickly distance yourself
- Report any abusive behavior: if you encounter inappropriate behavior, do not hesitate to report the situation to the proper persons and/or authorities
5. Remain vigilant, even after the meeting
After a successful meeting, it is normal to feel more at ease. However, it is important to continue to exercise caution:
- Don't rush things: take the time to get to know the person better before sharing more details about your private life
- Trust your instincts: if something "feels off" or seems suspicious, especially in the exchanges following the meeting, don't hesitate to take a step back and act accordingly if necessary