Safety Tips

Most online safety tips are just common sense

But if you are new to internet pen pals/friendships, you might have some questions about the safety and security of your actions.

Things to remember:

You are anonymous until you decide to reveal personal information about yourself.
Be cautious and trust your own instincts.

Remember that personal information can be revealed without you realizing it…like saying you love driving by the Washington Monument everyday on your way to work, or the view of the 59th street bridge outside your bedroom window is dazzling at dusk.

Use an email account just for online friendships. Yahoo and Hotmail offer free accounts which do not require you to use your own name or reveal any personal information...so don't!. Just remember not to set filters on the account or you won't get any new emails from lavenderdoor.com visitors.

If you decide to exchange phone numbers, use a cell phone number. Make sure the number you are given is an accurate number before you agree to meet with anyone.

If you agree to meet someone, always tell a friend that you are meeting an online pen pal and say where you are going. If possible, have the friend call you on your cell phone during the meeting. If there is no one who can do this for you, when you get to the meeting place, call your answering machine and leave a message for yourself with the above information.

Always meet a new online friend in a public place.

If at any point you become uncomfortable with an online correspondence or friendship, discontinue it and please email us at lavenderdoor.com to report your experience.

Most of all...have fun. You are in control!