Community guidelines

Listen first

Read twice before you reply. Most people want to be heard more than they want to be fixed.

Share from your own experience rather than giving instructions: “When it happened to me…” instead of “You should…”.

Take only the step that is offered

Every step closer is a choice you both make. If someone does not reply, does not come ashore or does not press keep, let it be. Do not ask again somewhere else.

Stay anonymous, both of you

Never ask for or share names, photos, addresses, phone numbers, schools, workplaces or social accounts. Do not move the conversation to another app.

Never allowed

Harassment, threats, insults or shaming. Hate against anyone for who they are. Sexual messages or content of any kind. Anything involving people under 18. Encouraging anyone to hurt themselves or others. Spam, advertising, fundraising or recruiting. Pretending to be a professional, or giving medical, legal or financial instructions.

When someone may be in danger

You are not their counsellor, and you do not have to carry it alone. Gently share a helpline, and report the message so our safety team can look. If you are the one in danger, please reach out to a helpline now.

Find a helpline

Leaving is always fine

You can end a conversation at any moment, and a kind goodbye is one tap away. If someone makes you uncomfortable, block and report them. You will never meet again.

When guidelines are broken

A person reads every report. We may remove what someone wrote, end the conversation or close the river to their device, and they see why.