Do you remember when meeting people online was considered "weird"!? As we all increasingly move towards a more digital life, with online banking, online dating, and online grocery shopping, it's now totally normal to have "online" friends. But if we don't meet them "IRL" (in-real-life), how on earth do we make sure they are who they say they are...

Here are 10 ways to verify someone online... Before they become your online BFFL (best friend for life!)

  1. Do you know them in real life? Start with the basics, do you recognise this person from school, a club, or through mutual friends?
  2. Look for mutual connections. Check if you have the same friends or followers, especially ones you know in real life and trust. If nobody in your circle knows them, that might be a red flag!
  3. Ask questions only they'd know. If they claim to be someone you already know, you could test them with details only they should know, without giving away any personal information of course!
  4. Use video or voice chat. A real person should be willing to show their face or speak live. Scammers usually avoid this and make excuses not to.
  5. Check for consistency. Do their posts, photos, and personal details all match up? If they don't, something could be wrong!
  6. Try a reverse image search. Drag and drop the person's profile picture into Google Search and see what comes up on the internet. If they have stole the image, it may reveal who's picture it really is.
  7. Watch for red flags. Be alert if they send dodgy links, ask for personal information or money, or avoid giving clear details about themselves.
  8. Cross-check on other platforms. If you met them on Facebook, do they have any other social media platforms, or come up on a work website?
  9. Ask a trusted friend/adult. When in doubt, talk it through with a parent, teacher, friend. A second opinion can make all the difference.
  10. Trust your instincts. If something feels "off", it very well might be.

The internet makes it possible to meet billions of people, which, on one hand, is fantastic to have so many potential new friends! But staying safe means being smart about who you trust. You can use these checks to protect yourself when you are meeting your new online buddy.