Meeting strangers online, sensibly.
Talking to someone you have never met is the point of random video chat, and it goes better with a few habits. This page is about those habits as much as the platform.
Openers that actually work
Say hello, say where you are roughly from, and ask one open question. Most awkward starts come from waiting for the other person to carry the conversation.
Use a shared subject
Interests give the queue a hint about who to pair you with, so the first thirty seconds have somewhere to go. The in-call games are the other reliable way past an awkward opening.
What never to share
Your address, workplace, school, financial details, documents, or anything that would let someone find you offline. No good conversation requires any of it.
- Be cautious about being moved quickly to another app
- Treat requests for money as a scam, without exception
- Assume anything on camera could be captured
Leaving is normal
Skipping is not rude; it is the format. You owe nobody an explanation, and the fastest exit from a conversation that feels wrong is simply to leave it.
Keeping the good ones
If a conversation was worth having, exchange Shedo IDs and continue in private messages. Both people have to agree, and messages are removed from our servers after 60 days.
Reporting matters
Reports are how moderation learns about behaviour that automated checks miss. If someone breaks the guidelines, report rather than only skipping.
Common questions
- How do I start a conversation with a stranger?
- A greeting, a rough location and one open question is enough. Shared interests and the in-call games give you a second and third step.
- Is it safe to meet strangers on video?
- It is reasonably safe if you keep identifying details to yourself, use blur or effects when you want, and leave conversations that feel wrong.
- Do I have to show my face?
- No. Camera blur and face effects let you take part without a clear picture of yourself.