Safety tips

Safety tips

Hobbytwin is a place to connect over shared interests and build real-life friendships. While our platform is designed to be a safe and welcoming space, it’s always smart to be mindful of your personal safety. Whether you’re arranging a skill-share session or meeting a new activity partner, these tips will help you connect with confidence.

Online Safety tips

  • Financial Safety First. Never send money or share your bank details with another user. The only exception is when you are paying for a lesson or a service directly through the Hobbytwin app’s secure payment system, which is powered by Stripe. If anyone asks for funds outside of this system—even in an emergency—it’s a significant red flag. These transactions are almost impossible to reverse. Report any such requests to us immediately. Please check out these tips on how to avoid romance scams advice from the U.S Federal Trade Commission.
  • Protect Your Private Details. Avoid sharing private information that could identify you offline. This includes your home address, work location, personal contact numbers, or specific daily routines. If you are a parent, be cautious about how much you reveal about your children. Their names, ages, and schools should remain private until you have built a high level of trust.
  • Stay in Our Digital Community. For your safety, keep conversations on the Hobbytwin platform as you get to know someone. Our systems are in place to help detect harmful or fraudulent behavior. Users who have bad intentions often try to move the chat to a different app or text message to avoid being monitored.
  • Spotting Scams and Frauds. Be cautious if a user’s story seems too good to be true or if they are reluctant to meet in person or through a video call. This is particularly true for users who claim to be local but are currently stranded overseas and require financial help. Remember, genuine connections take time to build.
  • Help Us Keep the Community Safe. Your awareness is our best defense. If you see something, say something. Please report any user who violates our community guidelines or makes you uncomfortable. This helps us ensure a positive and secure experience for everyone. Examples of behavior to report include:
    • Requests for money or donations.
    • Profiles that seem fake or deceptive.
    • Any form of harassment or threats.
    • Spam or attempts to sell products.

Meeting for Your Hobby: Real-Life Safety

Hobbytwin is about bringing people together for activities. Use these tips for a safe and successful meetup.

  • Don’t Rush the Connection. Take your time before agreeing to meet a new person. A quick video or voice call can be a great way to verify a person’s identity and get a better sense of their personality before meeting face-to-face.
  • Meet in a Public Space. Your first meeting should always be in a busy, public area. Avoid meeting at a private residence, whether it’s your own or the other person’s. If they push for a private location, it’s a clear signal to end the conversation.
  • Inform a Friend or Family Member. Always let someone you trust know your plans—where you’re going, who you’re meeting, and what time you expect to be back. Keep your phone fully charged and with you, and consider using your phone’s location-sharing feature.
  • Manage Your Own Transportation. Be in control of how you arrive and leave your meeting. This allows you to exit the situation at any time you feel uneasy. Always have a backup plan, like a ride-share app or a trusted friend on standby.
  • Stay Aware of Your Surroundings. Be mindful of your alcohol consumption and the effect it has on your judgment. Never leave your drink or personal items unattended. It’s crucial to know where your drink comes from at all times, as a number of substances can be added to drinks without being noticed.
  • Listen to Your Gut. Your instincts are your most important safety tool. If something feels off, or you feel uncomfortable at any point, it’s okay to leave. Don’t feel obligated to stay.

LGBTQ+ Community Travel Guide

Safety while traveling is paramount. Hobbytwin is a global hobby network that embraces all gender identities and sexual orientations. However, some countries have specific laws that can be unsafe for LGBTQ+ individuals. We recommend researching local laws before traveling. If you’ve listed your sexual orientation on your profile and are in a region identified as potentially unsafe, consider hiding that information until you’ve left the area. Law enforcement in some countries has been known to use social apps for entrapment.

For updated information on sexual orientation laws by country, visit ILGA World and consider supporting their research. Source: ILGA World, Updated March 2019.

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