Been sitting on this question for a while — figured this community would have the best take. Moderation quality varies a lot between gay chat platforms and really impacts the experience.
Hornet's community features are underrated compared to Grindr's more transactional vibe. Reverse image search is your best friend for quickly vetting profile photos.
Gay cam roulette sites have improved but fake webcams are still a persistent problem.
Basic precautions I follow:
- Public first meetings are non-negotiable. Coffee shop, bar, anywhere visible.
- Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when getting to know someone new.
- Video call before you meet — fastest way to confirm someone is who they claim to be.