🌟 Let’s Talk About Online Safety & Building Trust in Digital Spaces! 🌟
Hello everyone in the Safety & Knowledge community! 👋
✨ Let’s Reflect and Share:
- What’s one thing you do to ensure your online safety while using our lovely platform 7 Cups?
How do you build trust in your conversations, especially when connecting with someone for the first time?
Have you ever encountered a situation where you felt unsafe online? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?
I’ll start: For me, online safety begins with setting clear boundaries and being mindful of what I share. Building trust starts with active listening and showing empathy, it’s amazing how much connection can grow when we truly listen to one another.
Let’s use this space to share tips, stories, and advice that can help us all feel safer and more connected in our online interactions. Looking forward to hearing from you all! 💛
@SherifRiad
oh this is such a good and always relevant topic! thank you so much for opening this dialogue so we can help each other continue to be educated on safety ❤️
Hey @Heather225!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad this topic resonated with you! Safety is something that’s so important to keep talking about, and it’s amazing how we can all learn from each other and grow together. Let’s keep the dialogue going and help each other stay informed and safe! ❤️
@SherifRiad
- What’s one thing you do to ensure your online safety while using our lovely platform 7 Cups? When I was a Listener on the platform, I utilised resources, forms, as well as decades of irl experience to navigate safety.
How do you build trust in your conversations, especially when connecting with someone for the first time?
I meet them where they are at (emotionally, other). For example (GR request) - "I see you requested support surrounding "LGBTQ". I want to let you know that I am LGBTQ, & that this is a safe, confidential space to talk. Would you like to share what brought you to 7 Cups?
Have you ever encountered a situation where you felt unsafe online? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience? Yes, as LGBTQ person, always (sadly). Handling it when younger, was hard. Now that I am older, more online experience vs. irl , is......different. Not because of the technology (as I am pretty tech savvy-ish), but now the 'hate' has spread to online. where before that 'hate' (from a NA/Turtle Island perspective), was in person - face to face.
Hey @WalkingSoftly Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences, it’s really inspiring to hear how intentional and thoughtful you are about creating safe spaces for others. I love how you meet people where they’re at emotionally; it’s such a powerful way to build trust and make someone feel seen and valued.
I’m so sorry to hear about the challenges you’ve faced, both online and offline. It’s heartbreaking that hate has found its way into digital spaces, but I admire how you’ve grown and adapted over time. Your resilience and wisdom are truly inspiring. Thank you for opening up about this, it’s a reminder of why these conversations about safety and trust are so important. 💙
@SherifRiad
Hey @WalkingSoftly Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences, it’s really inspiring to hear how intentional and thoughtful you are about creating safe spaces for others. I love how you meet people where they’re at emotionally; it’s such a powerful way to build trust and make someone feel seen and valued.
Thank you for the thoughtful, respectful response. As a LGBTQ+ elder, with decades of experience living in an anti-LGBTQ world ( pre-2000s), and working with various LGBTQ+ persons, and having to navigate less than 'supportive' people, organisations, governments, I had great supports (LGBTQ+ organizations, allies, supportive government), supportive therapy). These aspects helped me to not only be supported, but help support my fellow human being - where ever they are at,. It took awhile to get THAT, butas I age & keep committed to learn, I will help my fellow human being. I have lived through alot. I am stilll here,
Hey @WalkingSoftly Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences, it’s really inspiring to hear how intentional and thoughtful you are about creating safe spaces for others. I love how you meet people where they’re at emotionally; it’s such a powerful way to build trust and make someone feel seen and valued.
Thank you for recognising the challenges. Yes, I have faced many challenges that others have not. Having said that, those challenges have made me who I am now - resilient, living history, knowledgeable, empathy, compassionate,. As for adaptation, some adapt and others do not. I may not know all that is going on, but I do my best to keep up & provide the best support I can.
As well, when I was a Listener, I took on the 1 on 1 requests that others couldn't/wouldn't handle (ie Sexual Health, etc.), just because I had decades experience volunteering LGBTQ phoneline in the 1990s, addressing such issues. So, what I experienced today, is nothing different than then (except that is it online rather than over the phone). I get that now, there is a 'hyper reactivity' for Listeners to report when 'not comfortable' with chats. I get that. However, I have also seen many Listeners 'report' (especially when it comes to Sexual Health/matters).
Thus, before 'clicking' on receiving a GR, 'read' what the person is seeking support for, and follow up with their 'issues' - not with 'What brings you here?'.
*Tips* from a 'Listener' (in 'Forced Time Out')
Years ago, I had lots of experiences with trolls and people looking for kicks in the chat queue. That was before 7 Cups required registration from all users, and I definitely feel safer now. (This doesn't answer the question exactly, but the question reminded me of how I constantly felt like I had to be on guard then.)
Now the only thing I encounter sometimes is the request to "talk somewhere else?" I used to get a little defensive and explain why it wasn't ok to ask that. Now I just say, "No, thanks. 😊"; then I redirect the conversation to whatever we were talking about before.
@AlliopeCalliope I hear you! 💙
@AlliopeCalliope
Years ago, I had lots of experiences with trolls and people looking for kicks in the chat queue. That was before 7 Cups required registration from all users, and I definitely feel safer now. (This doesn't answer the question exactly, but the question reminded me of how I constantly felt like I had to be on guard then.)
I understand the 'troll' thing (albeit, it was live, over, the phone - pre-internet, no phone # display). Given that experience (which was hard to navigate -it was live, irl ), the experiences did help to mitigate to online experiences. One thing I did learn (years ago) is that, sometimes (not always) is that the 'trolls and people looking for kicks' were 'afraid' and 'lashing out'. That is not to say that, as a Listener, one shouldn't take 'such behaviour'. Reporting is important - especially with screenshots now. Alot has to do with what you are comfortable with AND how to respond to those 'uncomfortable' conversations/trolls/unwanted dialogue'.
Now the only thing I encounter sometimes is the request to "talk somewhere else?" I used to get a little defensive and explain why it wasn't ok to ask that. Now I just say, "No, thanks. 😊"; then I redirect the conversation to whatever we were talking about before.
As per Cups training, and as you gain more experience (and hopefully, more understanding, chat boundaries, growth, etc,.,), I wish you an empathic, understanding growth as a Listener! :)
I have been here since 2017 and I have been on the internet since 1995. You can see all my training badges and experience on my profile. So I absolutely know the difference between people testing boundaries and outright being abusive or seeking adult chat.
And it never happens now. I can talk about absolutely any topic with anyone, including explicit topics. Listeners were not protected when anyone could come in and chat anonymously; now they are. That is the only difference. People know they are to be held accountable for what they say here, and they know that having an account here is a privilege.
@AlliopeCalliope
Great to receive feedback from someone who understands! Yes, there were little to no 'security' in earlier times. Having said hat, I learned ALOT from those 'times', that have helped me become not only a more 'educated, kmowledgeable, savvy ( aka 'street smart') Listener/Memebr, but a n 'elder' person n real life, that has enough 'life' experience when to 'let it roll, then end/delete' or when' other stuff is going on'.
Just as I tell the residents in the LTC Dementia floor I work, whom exhibit 'innuendo' towards me, I tell them "Yea - we don't do that thing here.' Food for thought.
@AlliopeCalliope
That is interesting. As, especially since September 2024, when more 'safety' came into effect, I find, even in Member account of being 'censored' more than prior. I had a 'notification come up, in PM with a regular LIstener, stating that my message was 'not sent' as it contained 'words' that 'triggered' the 'censor' app. Followed up with Listener, only to find out that I could have triggered the 'censorship'. And no way to find out what 'words' triggered it. ( and no - there were no swear words, that I could remember - even then they **** it out.
I am feeling there is more censorship on this platform, than ever before.
@AlliopeCalliope
I agree. To an extent. I also have seen 'over reach' (aka censhorship -like) here, especially with in the last few months, with 'vague' AI - generated explanations (ie message I sent to my long time Listener was 'blocked' with an AI -generated message that said that I included words that might be triggering.....Wha?)
There is safety online. And then there is ??? Wha?