Stay safe online!

@Fleura (30541)
United Kingdom
June 18, 2019 5:43am CST
Advice to children to stay safe includes the recommendation not to meet up with people you’ve met online. I guess that falls into the same category as ‘Don’t talk to strangers’ – if you never talk to a stranger, how do you ever meet anyone new? So with that in mind, yesterday I went to meet someone I only vaguely ‘knew’ online – our very own @boiboing! I was horribly late for our meeting at Stowe, which was not a great start, but she gracefully overlooked that and we had a very pleasant chat as we strolled around the lake, followed by lunch at the National Trust café. There was just enough time to squeeze in a coffee then I had to make tracks for school, where I arrived in perfect time to pick up Little One. So thanks @boiboing for a lovely outing and a nice change from the ‘Things to do’ list – hope we can do it again! Have you met any MyLot connections in real life? All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2019.
21 people like this
21 responses
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
18 Jun 19
Yes I have met quite a few it all began in London years ago where I met Steve who was a writer on Igougo, then I met Henk in Frankfurt, Graham in Bath, Jeanne Baney in Florida and Paints on Slate in Florida and in Canada. Every meeting has been a joy and I look forward to many more.
4 people like this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
18 Jun 19
@Fleura It has always been a great meeting with online friends. I have also met with tons of cousins I have met through my DNA and genealogy research. I just met one in Ireland when I was there last fall.
2 people like this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 19
Wow you have done well, it sounds great fun!
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
18 Jun 19
I should have said 'Meet me down a dark alley at twilight. Tell nobody where you are going. Mwah ha ha. I thought a National Trust car park was pretty safe. It was lovely to see you.
3 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
18 Jun 19
@Fleura That's true. "I'll be the one in the skull T-shirt carrying the baseball bat"
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 19
You probably don't want to suggest that, I might be late again and you'd have to spend a long time loitering in a dark alley on your own!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
18 Jun 19
How nice! I’m glad you met and hope you can do it again. I’ve met Facebook people in Florida, Hong Kong, Italy, and Ireland, and Shanghai.
2 people like this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 19
That must be fun! Did you get some insiders travel tips from them as well?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
18 Jun 19
@Fleura All except from Florida.
1 person likes this
@Mamerto32 (2783)
• Canlubang, Philippines
18 Jun 19
Getting killed by someone online is very real, as it happened many times here in the Philippines. When online, it pays to be paranoid.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 19
That is worrying. Here it seems to be more unusual, the attacker is almost always someone known to the vicitm, most often their spouse or partner.
2 people like this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 19
@Mamerto32 Most accidents happen at home, and most people who are murdered or assaulted are attacked by someone close to them. So going out with strangers is statistically much the safest thing to do!
1 person likes this
@Mamerto32 (2783)
• Canlubang, Philippines
18 Jun 19
@Fleura I think getting assaulted by someone you know made it more unsettling.
1 person likes this
18 Jun 19
Yup, I do. In fact, she worked with me too. I had been chatting with her all along, and we shared lots of tips and advice. Little did I know she was working with me the whole time, lol. She was also surprised that I worked in the same building as her and we have had a good relation eversince..
2 people like this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 19
Oh that is funny! I guess you didn't know each other's real names?
18 Jun 19
@Fleura Only real names not the online ones we didn't know that..
1 person likes this
@Aansh13 (11397)
• New Delhi, India
18 Jun 19
Nope... I really wish to meet some people in real time... Some of them I feel really amazing
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
18 Jun 19
I haven't met any mylotters. I was planning a meeting with a woman from Malaysia, but her trip to Europe was cancelled. I think that she has left myLot by now. I have met other online friends (from my own country)
1 person likes this
@yugocean (9963)
• India
19 Jun 19
Children can meet people but only under guidence.
1 person likes this
@smileyhema (4606)
• United States
19 Jun 19
That's good you had a great time :) Nope I haven't met any online friends outside.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
18 Jun 19
Good morning.I have not.Hoping some day soon?Good morning.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 19
That would be nice wouldn't it? I'm sure lots of members would like to call in and sample your baking : )
• United States
18 Jun 19
'tis a bit 'f a diff'rence with these young'uns coz they'd be oh so gullible, sneakin' out'n the night to meet those folks who've not good 'ntent. how delightful to've finally met'n person! i fear such's not happened here'n my end yet, though there'd be many i'd sure love to meet. perhaps one day 's my mobility gets better?
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 19
@Fleura yes ma'am :)
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 19
Definitely something to aim for!
1 person likes this
@amandajay (23264)
• New Zealand
19 Jun 19
true, you should be very careful. nowadays we can't believe even the people around us, so how can we trust strangers,,, not at all
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
18 Jun 19
How cool! I have a few I would love to meet. And no I have never met anyone from online.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 19
Well you never know, maybe you will one day!
@debjani1 (7202)
19 Jun 19
So your day was entertaining. I never met any internet friend or any phone friend.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 19
I've never even thought of a phone friend!
• China
18 Jun 19
It is great that you met a mylotter where you live.I myself haven't met any Mylotters so far.Here on Mylot ,I haven't known anyone else who lives in the same city as me.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
18 Jun 19
That's great, I'm glad y'all had a good time together. =) I would love to meet many mylotters but haven't had the chance to do so yet.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80812)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Jun 19
I have never met anyone in person but I have always thought it might be fun to have a myLot convention organized.
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 19
What a beautiful place to meet. I loved Stowe when I visited a few years ago. I remember it well. I too have met B she is a lovely person. You are correct to warn people about meeting up making sure it is in a busy place. Not too busy that ding dongs might possibly go unnoticed though if things go pear shaped! Glad you have both met!
1 person likes this
@mrki444 (15149)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
18 Jun 19
No I didn't and I don't think I will but who knows? Maybe one day I do.
1 person likes this
@didinedhia (8470)
• Algeria
18 Jun 19
stay safe kids
1 person likes this