Unit 3: Chatting and Red Flags

1. Decide whether the following online interactions are risky or safe:

Share your favorite music on social media

• Safe

• Risky

Answer explanation

Sharing your favorite music on social media is generally safe as it involves sharing personal preferences without disclosing sensitive information. It allows for positive interactions and connections with others.

Decide whether the following online interactions are risky or safe:

Giving your address online to a friend you know

• Safe

• Risky

Answer explanation

Giving your address online, even to a friend, can be risky due to potential data breaches or misuse. It's important to consider privacy and security before sharing personal information.

Decide whether the following online interactions are risky or safe:

Accepting a follow request from someone you do not know

• Safe

• Risky

Answer explanation

Accepting a follow request from someone you do not know is risky because it can expose you to unwanted interactions, potential harassment, or scams. It's safer to only accept requests from people you recognize.

Decide whether the following online interactions are risky or safe:

Commenting on a post from a celebrity you admire

• Safe

• Risky

Answer explanation

Commenting on a post from a celebrity is generally safe as it is a public interaction. However, be cautious of sharing personal information or engaging in negative discussions, which could lead to risks.

Which of the following statements about online relationships is true?

• ​​​​​​​You can always trust that someone will represent their real self online.

• Even your best friend can cause you to have red flag feelings.

• Only people you don't know in real life can cause you to have red flag feelings.

• It is always obvious when someone online has negative intentions.

Answer explanation

The correct statement is that even your best friend can cause you to have red flag feelings. Trust can be complicated, and negative intentions can arise from anyone, regardless of your relationship with them.

Ana started a photo account to share funny photos and quickly got a lot of followers. One day a follower she had been messaging with, but doesn't know personally, sent her this message: "You are so funny! And your profile pic is so pretty! Want to meet up on video chat?" Ana is not sure what to do. Why might she be having a red flag feeling?

• The person should already know a lot about her based on the photos she posts.

• A video chat is a personal and risky request from someone she doesn't know.

• The person does not have as many followers as she does.

• Ana has liked some of the photos the person has posted.

Answer explanation

Ana might feel a red flag because a video chat is a personal and risky request from someone she doesn't know well. This could lead to uncomfortable situations, making her cautious about the interaction.

In the previous question, what would you recommend Ana say or do based on the Feelings & Options steps?

• Take a chance and video chat with her follower.

• ​​​​​​Say that she prefers to meet in person because it's less awkward.

• Change the subject, such as talking about the last photo she posted.

Answer explanation

Changing the subject to discuss the last photo is a comfortable way for Ana to engage without pressure. It allows her to steer the conversation in a more relaxed direction, avoiding potential awkwardness.

Decide whether the following online interactions are risky or safe:

Sharing your phone number with a friend you know online

• Safe

• Risky

Answer explanation

Sharing your phone number, even with a friend online, can be risky. It may lead to unwanted contact or privacy issues, especially if the friend is not who they claim to be. Therefore, it's best to consider it risky.

John received a message from an unknown person saying, "I love your posts! Can you share your email so we can discuss more?". Why might John be having a red flag feeling?

• The person is appreciating his posts.

• Sharing email is a personal and risky request from someone he doesn't know.

• The person does not have as many followers as he does.

• John has liked some of the posts the person has posted.

Answer explanation

John might feel a red flag because sharing his email is a personal and risky request from someone he doesn't know, which could lead to unwanted contact or privacy issues.

Decide if the following scenario is considered safe or risky:

Jordan received an email from a company that he had previously sent an application to. The manager asked for them to come in for a face to face interview.

• safe

• risky

Answer explanation

The scenario is considered safe because Jordan received a legitimate email from a company he applied to, inviting him for a face-to-face interview, which is a standard part of the hiring process.