Be careful on hellotalk guys...
So basically there's this one language learning app called hellotalk. The main users for that app are girls. And then men who want a girlfriend. So I knew this so I only stuck to texting girls who have Instagrams. But then this guy I bumped into there, someone was super suspicious about him. So I like messaged him cause I was like wth is wrong with him??? Right? So I'll see if I have screenshots, but basically he looked at my profile and saw my age and copied it and so he introduced himself as my age (18) and korean. But his location said THE UK!! Like boi wth!?? So as i like said oh wow I'm also that age blah blah, and then this guy is like can you message me on this chatting app? And so I was determined to catch this guy cause why you texting girls who are a good decade younger than you?? (I saw on his moments posts that he had girls commenting there who were like really young) Right? So I was like yah sure which app? And he was like it's just this little app (idiot called it chatting app) so I looked for it but turns out he meant whatsapp. So I was like why do you want my number?? So I was like how far do I wanna go to figure this out?? So I was like yah sure I'll text you from there. And then I asked him like will you traumatize me, and I kept asking him to annoy him cause that's like one of the ways you can tell someone is dangerous, like annoy them and see how far they are willing to go. So he gives me his number, and I keep asking him questions. And so then I needed to think of my next step so I said I'll text him after helping my mom (she wasn't even there lmao). So I thought about it for like a minute then asked him do you have Instagram? He said no. I asked him about just social media in general and he said no. And I was like WHAT KIND OF PERSON DOESN'T HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA BUT DOES HAVE A PHONE!!??? So I like said to him, what 18 year old doesn't have social media??? And then he just left me on read. I gave him a minute to respond but he didn't so I was like haha you're speechless when you got caught and then I went to his account and I texted the girls who were texting him, cause in one of his posts some girls texted him and they were like the youngest possible allowed on this app. So I like warned them as calmly as I could cause like I'm a big sister and these girls are as old as my younger sister ans they obviously were shook, and then I reported him after messaging the girls. Now I'm like waiting for a response about him cause the app always tells you what happened to the person you reported, but it's like already clear he's someone disgusting. Especially if you're an adult with like 5 different ages and avoid convos. Like how was he 18 when talking to me and then suddenly becomes 6 years younger when talking to another girl!?? Tf!!
Ik it probably wasn't smart to go this far, but like I feel like it's my responsibility as a 18 year old to help girls younger than me. This feeling probably comes from having younger sisters tho... 🤷♀️
Okay, so after my last post about that super suspicious guy on HelloTalk, I've had so many of you asking for more tips on how to actually spot these red flags. It can be hard when you're just trying to learn a language and have a good time, but unfortunately, there are people out there with bad intentions. Based on my experience and what I learned, here’s a deeper dive into what to look out for on your HelloTalk chat screens, profiles, and in conversations to stay safe! First off, always be a detective when you check out someone's profile. Remember that guy who claimed to be 18, but his location was in the UK, and then his age seemed to change when talking to other people? That's a massive, flashing red light! Pay close attention to inconsistencies in their listed age, location, or even their claimed native language. If their profile picture looks too professional or too good to be true, or if there's very little information, it's worth being extra cautious. As the OCR caught from my chat, I was like, "CAUGHT SOME ADULT WHO!LIKES KIDS ON HELLOTALK...." – this kind of gut feeling often comes from looking at these small details. Next, a huge red flag is when someone starts pushing to move the conversation off HelloTalk almost immediately. This was exactly what happened to me! He was trying to get me to move to a 'chatting app' which turned out to be WhatsApp. They might try to convince you by saying things like, 'It's a very nice app to text, you need numbers to talk so we can talk a lot,' just like the kind of things I saw in our chat. Their goal is usually to get your personal phone number or to move to a platform where their identity is harder for HelloTalk to verify, and where it’s much tougher for you to report them later. Always ask yourself why they can't just chat on the app you're both already using. If they insist, it's time to be wary. Another major tell is their social media presence – or lack thereof. I straight up asked the guy, 'Do you have Instagram? Any other social media kind of thing? No Fr? I don't trust that. No teenagers doesn't actually not have any social media. Are you even a teen?' And he couldn't give me a straight answer! Seriously, in this day and age, most people, especially those claiming to be younger, have some kind of online footprint. If someone claims to have absolutely no social media whatsoever, it's a huge red flag. They might be trying to hide their real identity, age, or past. It's not a definitive sign of danger on its own, but combined with other red flags, it becomes very concerning. Don't forget to check their 'Moments' feed! This was crucial for me. That's where I saw other girls commenting on his posts who seemed really young, which made me realize he was targeting a specific age group. The Moments section can give you unexpected clues about who they're interacting with, their general interests, and their vibe. If anything feels suspicious or if the comments seem off, take a screenshot if you can, and always proceed with caution. Finally, pay attention to evasive answers or overly personal questions early on. If someone avoids direct questions, changes the subject quickly, or immediately starts asking very personal questions about your life, school, or where you live, be super wary. Healthy conversations build trust over time; they don't demand intimate details instantly. So, if you spot these red flags on any HelloTalk chat screen or profile: Stop engaging immediately. You don't owe them a conversation. Block them. This prevents further contact. Report their profile. Use HelloTalk's reporting feature and provide as much detail as possible. This helps protect others. Tell someone you trust. Share your experience with a parent, older sibling, guardian, or trusted friend. Remember, HelloTalk can be an amazing tool for language exchange and meeting new people, but your safety is always the priority. Trust your instincts, and never hesitate to cut off communication if something feels wrong. Stay safe out there, girls! 💖
