This came up in conversation recently and I realized I had no good answer. A dedicated email address for chat platforms is worth the two minutes to set up.
Discord adult servers are surprisingly active but the good ones require vetting to join. Report suspicious profiles immediately — platforms often act fast when reports stack up.
Basic precautions I follow:
- Trust your gut completely. If something feels off before a meet, cancel without guilt.
- A VPN helps with general privacy but is not a complete solution for anonymity.
- Blackmail starts with compromising content — be thoughtful about what you share.
- Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when getting to know someone new.