Catfishing is when someone creates a fake online persona to trick people into building relationships with them.
Imagine you meet someone online, and they seem awesome. They’re funny, interesting, and totally get you. You chat for hours, share secrets, and maybe even start feeling a connection. But there’s one big problem: they’re not who they say they are. That’s basically what catfishing is: when someone creates a fake online persona to trick people into building relationships with them. They might use someone else’s photos, invent a whole new identity, or twist parts of their real-life to appear more desirable.
The Catfish: This is the person doing the deceiving. They might be insecure, lonely, or seeking attention. They might even try to scam you for money or personal information.
The Fake Profile: They use this bait to lure you in. It might be filled with stolen photos, fake accomplishments, or emotional stories to make you feel connected.
The Target: This is the person being catfished. They’re often unsuspecting and vulnerable, seeking genuine connection or friendship.
Catfishing can lead to emotional distress, betrayal, and even financial loss or threats to your safety. This is why being aware and cautious about who you interact with online is so important.
Red flags to watch out for
- The person refuses to video chat or meet in person.
- Their stories seem too good to be true or inconsistent.
- They’re overly secretive or change topics often.
- Their photos look professionally taken or unrealistic.
- They pressure you for money or personal information.
Here’s what we have to SAY
- Be cautious about who you add as friends or communicate with online.
- Do some research on the person: Google their name, check their social media profiles, and see if something seems off.
- Do a reverse image search on their photos and see if they are who they say they are.
- Ask for video calls or voice chats to confirm their identity.
- Be careful what information you share online, especially anything sensitive or private.
- Remember, not everyone online is who they say they are.
- If something feels off, trust your gut instinct and don’t hesitate to walk away.
- When in doubt, talk to a trusted adult about any concerns you might have.
