Tried searching but couldn't find a clear up-to-date answer, so here we are. Finding a community matching your specific interests takes exploration but it's worth it.
Verified badges make a huge difference for filtering out bots in chat environments. Real-time deletion features are more common now and do help with peace of mind.
Good communities self-police to some degree alongside formal moderation.
Basic precautions I follow:
- Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when getting to know someone new.
- Tell a trusted friend where you're going and share your live location during a first meet.
- Trust your gut completely. If something feels off before a meet, cancel without guilt.