Staying safe with an anonymous link

Anonymous messaging is mostly fun: compliments, questions, confessions and jokes. A few habits keep it that way. This guide covers both sides: owning a link, and sending to one.

If you own a link

Think about who can see it. A link in your close-friends story reaches people you know. A link in a public bio reaches anyone. Both are fine; just expect different messages.

Keep your profile light. Your profile photo and display name are public to anyone with your link. You don't need either. If you add a photo, we shrink it on your phone before uploading, which also removes its location and camera details.

Don't give away your routine. When you answer messages, leave out your address, where you'll be and when, and anything about where you study or work that you wouldn't put on a public post.

Be careful what you share. Sharing a message to your story puts it in front of everyone who follows you. Cover anything that identifies someone, using the share screen's hide letters option. See sharing a message to your story.

Know your controls. You can block a sender, report a conversation, delete it, pause your link, require every sender to pass a check that they're a person, and, with Plus, block words. What to do about a mean message explains each one.

If you send messages

Your words can identify you. Inside jokes, private details and the way you write can all give you away. See what anonymous really means.

Don't send what you wouldn't want traced back. Anonymity hides you from the person you message, not from the law. Threats, harassment and sharing someone's private information aren't allowed, and we may have to hand over the data we hold when legally required.

Look after your way back in. If you sent as a guest, your conversations live in that browser. Sign in if you want to keep them, especially on a shared device.

Reveals

Mutual reveal only shows a name when both of you agree. Before saying yes:

• Make sure you're comfortable with everything you've already said being attached to your name.
• Don't feel pressured. A request can be declined, and the other person isn't told.
• Remember a reveal shows a name you choose, plus your username and photo if you have a link. It doesn't share your email or phone number.

Moving to another app

Sometimes a conversation goes well and someone suggests moving to Instagram, WhatsApp or Snapchat. Take it slowly:

• Moving apps usually means sharing a username or number that identifies you. Only do it once you're comfortable with that.
• Be wary of anyone who pushes to move quickly, asks for photos, or asks you to keep the conversation secret.
• Don't share passwords, codes or money, ever, with anyone you've only met through an anonymous message.

Meeting in person

If an anonymous conversation turns into a plan to meet, treat it like meeting anyone from the internet: somewhere public, tell a friend where you'll be, and get yourself there and home.

Signs something's wrong

Trust your instincts. Block and report if someone:

• threatens you, or pressures you after you've said no;
• asks for intimate photos or personal details;
• seems to know things about you they shouldn't;
• keeps coming back after being blocked, with new messages that read the same.

DropAsecret is for people aged 18 and over.