CitySocialising offers a fun, relaxed and easy to connect with new like minded people and expand your social network. Whether you're heading out to a Social, you've connected online with some new people, or you’re organising your own activity, your personal safety should be your number one priority. The internet is a fantastic way to connect with new friends that you may not have met in your everyday life. We think it's great and want it to stay that way – so follow these simple guidelines to help make sure you stay safe.

Online Safety Guidelines

Don't be afraid to make connections, but by being just a little bit cautious and using some common sense, you should be able to avoid any "bad apples".

1. Guard your identity.
Even in person, you wouldn't give your number out to just anyone. Don't share your surname, personal phone number, place of work, address or any other identifying information while chatting or emailing until you are comfortable doing so.

2. Remain anonymous until you feel safe and ready to explore other options. Messaging people via your CitySocialising mailbox allows you to protect your identity and email address until you choose to reveal it.

3. Trust your gut.
If you feel unsure about someone, stop communicating immediately, block that user and use our Red Flag feature to report the person to us if you feel they may be dodgy or breaking any of our Terms of Use. All correspondence will remain totally confidential but it means that when more than 3 members report the same person, their account is automatically suspended and we can investigate.

Offline Safety Guidelines

Socialising with real people in the real world is what we’re all about, and whenever you're in new situations with new people it's always sensible to take some basic precautions.

1. Meet in a group at our Socials.
Our Socials are all about groups of members getting together to do something fun and we feel this makes us one of the safest way to meet new people. We'd recommend meeting up with other members at our Socials but, if you do decide to meet with someone on your own for the first time, always arrange to meet in a public place. Never meet in a private home or in a remote location.

2. Tell a friend.
Tell at least one friend or family member what you are doing, who you are meeting, where you are going and when you expect to return.

3. Guard your personal details.
Be careful about revealing your surname, personal phone numbers, place of work, home address or any other identifying information while chatting until you are comfortable doing so.

4. Don't leave personal belongings or drinks unattended.

Don't risk having your personal information stolen. The same goes for your drink - don't risk having it tampered with.

5. Stay sober (or don't get too drunk!).
Refrain from drinking excessively, as it could impair your ability to make good decisions and may put you at risk.

6. Report any "dodgy" or inappropriate behaviour.
Our trusted community is full of genuine and friendly people and we rely on our members to help us keep it that way. Whether it's someone you've met up with independently or at a Social, it's really important that you report any member to us who you feel behaves in an inappropriate, intimidating or abusive manner by using the Red Flag feature on their profile.

7. Don't invite people to your home.
No matter how well you get on, until you have got to know them much better, be careful of inviting people you’ve only just met to where you live and revealing your address.

8. Meet at Socials again.
Make sure you follow these tips on subsequent meetings, until you feel confident with the new friends that you've met via CitySocialising. Now that you're aware of how to use CitySocialising safely you can get involved and have fun!