Glossary

A program that can hold a text conversation, simulating how a human would respond.

The state of interacting online without your real-world identity being known.

Talking to someone online without sharing your real name, photo, or identity.

The image or icon that represents you to other users in a chat.

A tool that stops a specific user from contacting you or seeing your messages.

An automated program that posts messages or performs actions, rather than a real person.

Pretending to be someone else online, usually with a fake photo and identity, to deceive another person.

A shared, topic-based space where multiple people can talk in the same conversation at once.

The rules every user agrees to follow when using a platform, and what happens if they are broken.

A question or prompt designed to get a conversation going and keep it flowing.

Using digital tools to repeatedly harass, threaten, or humiliate someone.

Habits and tools that help keep your use of apps and online platforms healthy, rather than compulsive.

A private message sent from one user straight to another, outside any public space.

Publishing someone's private, real-world information online without their consent.

A small picture or symbol used in text to convey tone, emotion, or meaning.

Messages designed to disappear after being read or after a set amount of time.

A request to add someone as a saved contact, so you can reconnect later.

Suddenly ending all contact with someone, without explanation, instead of saying you want to stop talking.

A conversation shared among three or more people at once.

Using a chat app without creating an account — no email, password, or sign-up required.

A simple opening question or comment used to start a conversation with someone new.

Reading a chat or room without actively posting or participating.

The systems and people that enforce a platform's rules — filtering, reviewing reports, and taking action against violations.

A scam that tricks you into revealing passwords, payment details, or personal information.

An indicator showing whether a user is currently online and available to chat.

A one-on-one conversation between two people, not visible to anyone else.

The set of information and settings that represents a user on a platform.

Using a consistent fake name or identity, rather than being fully anonymous or fully identified.

A chat mode that instantly pairs you with a new person, rather than letting you pick who to talk to.

A sense of mutual understanding and ease between people in a conversation.

An indicator that shows when your message has been seen by the recipient.

Flagging a user or message to the platform's moderation team for review.

A deliberate scheme to deceive someone out of money, information, or something of value.

Ending the current random-chat conversation to be matched with someone new.

Light, casual conversation about low-stakes topics, used to warm up an interaction.

Unwanted, repetitive, or automated messages — often advertising or links — sent in bulk.

Starting a conversation online with someone you have never met and know nothing about.

Deliberately provoking or upsetting people online for attention or amusement.

A signal (often animated dots) showing that the other person is currently typing a reply.

The name shown to other users to identify you in a conversation.

Talking through frustrations or stress to relieve them, often without seeking advice.

A real-time conversation using live video and audio, rather than text.

A photo-sharing format where the image is destroyed after the recipient views it once.