Staying Safe

Your phone number, personal email, other social accounts, and exact location can wait. Think before sharing details that could identify you, such as your address, workplace, daily routine, documents, or information visible in photos. You decide what you're comfortable sharing.

You don't owe anyone a reply, friendship, personal details, or another chance. If you ask someone to stop contacting you, they must respect that. Repeated unwanted contact, attempts to get around a block, threats, and pressure to respond are not okay. Silence is not consent.

Private messages only open between fellows, so nobody can message you until you accept their fellow request. Accept people you're comfortable talking to, not people who pressure you. Declining is private, you can remove a fellow at any time, and you can switch fellow requests off in Settings.

Be cautious if someone rushes you, uses guilt or threats to get their way, asks you to keep harmful interactions secret, tries to isolate you from people you trust, or pushes you to move a conversation somewhere you feel less safe. Gifts, favors, or dramatic stories don't mean you owe anyone anything.

Don't send money, gift cards, passwords, login codes, or financial details because someone you met online asks. Be wary of urgent emergencies, investment promises, blackmail, and requests to access your accounts. If someone tries to pressure or deceive you into handing something over, step away and report the behavior.

Never pressure anyone to create or share intimate images. Don't share another person's intimate images or videos without their consent, or use them to threaten, embarrass, or control someone. Sexual content is prohibited.

Take your time getting to know people. Don't assume a profile or a friendly conversation proves someone's identity. Impersonation and deceptive identities used to obtain money, private information, intimate material, or account access are not allowed. Fictional characters and roleplay are no excuse for harassment or exploitation.

If someone makes you uncomfortable, you can stop replying and use the site's available blocking and reporting options. You don't need to confront them or prove their intentions before seeking help. When reporting, share what happened and any relevant details you can safely provide. Do not retaliate against someone for making a good-faith report.

Handmade Hearts is a social community, and meeting people offline is entirely your choice. If you do meet someone, choose a public place, tell someone you trust where you'll be, and arrange your own transport. Keep your drink with you and leave if you feel unsafe. A video call beforehand may help, but it can't guarantee someone's identity or intentions.

Handmade Hearts is for people aged 18 and older. You must be at least 18 to register or use the site. Don't misrepresent your age or help someone get around the age restriction. If the administration has reasonable grounds to believe an account belongs to someone under 18, the account may be restricted or suspended while the situation is reviewed.

Harassment, stalking, threats, grooming, coercion, sexual exploitation, and attempts to manipulate or abuse other members are prohibited anywhere on the site, including messages, Personals, ProfiRings, and the Plaza. The administration may review available information and remove content, restrict messaging, suspend an account, or permanently ban a member.

If something feels wrong, you can leave the conversation, group, or situation. You don't need a perfect explanation to set a boundary. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact the appropriate local emergency services.