Language exchange involves meeting people you do not yet know. Use this checklist to decide what to share, how to respond to pressure, and when to stop an interaction. It cannot certify another member as safe. The example messages are fictional and are included so you can rehearse a response before you need it.
Separate a practice mismatch from a safety concern
Different reply speeds, limited language skills, or a preference for text do not establish that a person is dishonest. First check whether you have compatible goals: which languages each person offers, a topic, and a realistic format. You can ask these questions without requesting proof of identity or private documents.
Pay more attention to behavior that creates risk: demands for money, pressure for private information, threats, or a refusal to accept a clear boundary. A detailed profile or a friendly manner does not cancel those concerns. If you simply have incompatible schedules, decline the exchange politely. If you face pressure or threats, stop the interaction and use reporting or blocking as appropriate.
Have a response ready for off-platform pressure
Example: after two messages, a new contact says, “Give me your phone number; we cannot practise here.” You can answer, “I prefer to keep our first conversations on Connection Ocean. We can practise by text here.” You do not need to argue about the other app or justify keeping your number private.
If the person accepts, continue at a pace you choose. If they repeat the demand or insult you, you can end the exchange. Keeping early chats on the platform limits what contact details you disclose and keeps its reporting tools available. It does not make every message, link, or participant trustworthy.
Keep money, passwords, and sign-in codes out of the exchange
A language partner does not need your password, payment details, identity document, or a one-time code sent to your phone. If someone asks you to repeat a sign-in code to “prove you are real,” do not send it. If a message claims your account needs urgent action, open the service through an address or app you already trust instead of using the message’s link.
Do not send money to an online contact because of an emergency story, an investment opportunity, or a fee to unlock a lesson or gift. If you have already paid, contact the payment provider promptly and explain what happened. For an account you believe is compromised, use that service’s recovery process. Preserve relevant messages if it is safe to do so. These steps may limit further harm; they do not guarantee recovery.
Treat a call as a conversation, not identity proof
A short voice or video call can help you decide whether you enjoy practising together. It cannot establish someone’s identity, location, or intentions. Technical difficulties and a decision not to use video also do not prove deception. Keep evaluating the requests they make and how they respond to your boundaries.
Before joining, remove private details from the camera frame and consider what can be heard nearby. Ask before recording, and assume another participant could save what you share using a separate device. You can say “I will use voice today” or “I need to end the call now.” You do not owe a tour of your home or an explanation of who lives with you.
Plan any in-person practice independently
If you decide to meet, choose a public place you can reach and leave independently. Confirm the location and a finish time, tell someone you trust about the plan, and keep a way to contact them. Do not rely on the new contact for transport or a place to stay. You can cancel without proving that a risk exists.
Example: the agreed café is changed to a private address shortly before you arrive. A direct response is “I will only meet at the café we agreed on. Otherwise I will cancel today.” If the alternative does not feel acceptable, leave or do not travel. An online conversation, even a long one, does not remove the need for practical precautions.
Report concrete behavior and stop collecting evidence if unsafe
When reporting, describe what happened rather than trying to diagnose the person: “This account asked me for a sign-in code,” or “They continued sending threats after I asked them to stop.” Include the relevant account and messages available to you. Save screenshots only where doing so does not prolong a harmful interaction or expose you to more risk.
Use blocking when you want to stop contact. A report is a request for review, not a promise of an immediate decision or a particular outcome. If there is an immediate threat to your safety, seek local emergency help rather than waiting for an in-app response. For non-urgent account questions, use the contact information on the Help page.