Hobbyist

Safety Guidelines

Your Safety is Our Priority

Hobbyist is built for genuine connections. Follow these guidelines to have safe, enjoyable meetups with fellow hobbyists.

Meeting Safely

Choose Public Places

Always meet in well-lit, public locations like coffee shops, parks, community centers, or sports facilities. Avoid private residences or isolated areas for first meetings.

Tell Someone Where You're Going

Share details of your meetup with a friend or family member: where you're going, who you're meeting, and when you expect to return. Check in with them afterward.

Meet During Daylight Hours

Especially for first-time meetups, schedule activities during the day when there are more people around and better visibility.

Arrange Your Own Transportation

Drive yourself or use public transport. Don't accept rides from people you've just met, and don't share your home address until you know them well.

Keep Your Phone Charged

Ensure your phone is fully charged before meeting up so you can stay in touch with friends and call for help if needed.

Online Safety

Protect Your Personal Information

Don't share your full name, home address, workplace, phone number, or financial information until you've established trust. Use the in-app messaging feature.

Be Cautious of Requests

Be wary of anyone asking for money, gift cards, or personal favors. This is a red flag for potential scams.

Check Trust Scores & Reliability Badges

Review other users' trust scores (0-5 scale) and reliability badges. Gold badge holders have 90%+ attendance rates, Silver badges indicate 70-89% attendance, and Bronze badges show users building their reliability.

Review Activity Details Carefully

Before joining an activity, review all details including location, time, required equipment, skill level, and other participants. Make sure the activity is appropriate for your experience level.

Red Flags to Watch For

Inconsistent Information

If someone's stories don't match up or they avoid answering basic questions about themselves, proceed with caution.

Pressure to Move Off-Platform

Be cautious if someone immediately wants to move to email, phone, or other messaging apps. Our platform provides safety features to protect you.

Too Good to Be True

If someone seems perfect, overly flattering, or makes grand promises, trust your instincts. Genuine connections develop naturally.

Unwanted Romantic Advances

Hobbyist is for finding activity partners, not dating. If someone makes romantic or sexual advances, report them immediately.

Aggressive or Threatening Behavior

If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, pressured, or threatened, end the conversation and report them. Block them to prevent further contact.

Equipment Sharing Safety

When claiming or lending equipment for activities, keep these guidelines in mind:

Document Your Equipment

Take photos of your equipment before lending it out. Note any existing wear or damage to avoid disputes when it's returned.

Check Reliability Badges

Before lending valuable equipment, check the borrower's reliability badge and attendance history. Users with Gold or Silver badges have proven track records.

Set Clear Expectations

Use the notes field when claiming equipment to specify condition, care instructions, and return expectations. Communicate openly through in-app messaging.

Start Small

For new connections, start by lending less valuable items before trusting someone with expensive gear. Build trust through successful activities together.

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off or makes you uncomfortable, trust your gut. It's always okay to:

  • End a conversation or meetup at any time
  • Reschedule or cancel an activity if you're not comfortable
  • Bring a friend to a meetup if it makes you feel safer
  • Block or report anyone who violates our community guidelines

Report & Block Users

We take safety seriously. If you encounter any of the following, please report it immediately:

  • Fake profiles or catfishing
  • Harassment, bullying, or threatening behavior
  • Spam or promotional content
  • Inappropriate sexual content or advances
  • Requests for money or financial information
  • Underage users (must be 18+)

Where to Find the Report Button

1
In Chat Conversations: Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right corner, then select "Report User"
2
On Activity Pages: Look for the flag icon next to the activity organizer's name
3
In Participant Lists: Each participant has a flag icon you can tap to report them directly

Blocking Users

Need immediate protection? Block a user instantly from any chat conversation.

What happens when you block someone: They cannot message you, see your activities, or appear in your matches.

What Happens After You Report

  • All reports are 100% confidential
  • Our moderation team reviews every report within 24 hours
  • Repeat offenders are permanently banned from the platform

In Case of Emergency

If you feel you're in immediate danger or witness a crime, contact local authorities:

Emergency: 911 (US)

For more information, review our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy