Community Guidelines

Penpal exists to help people make real friends in a new city. These guidelines keep it warm, safe and fun. Breaking them can lead to a warning, a suspension or a permanent ban.

Be kind

• Treat everyone with respect, in chats, on profiles and in person.
• No harassment, bullying, hate speech or threats. Don't target anyone for who they are.
• Penpal is for friendship. No dating pressure, sexual messages or unwanted advances.

Be real

• Use your own name, age and photos. Don't pretend to be someone else.
• You must be 18 or older. Don't help anyone under 18 use Penpal, and report anyone who seems underage.
• Don't spam, sell things or promote other services.

Keep it safe

• No nudity, sexual content, graphic violence or illegal activity.
• Don't share other people's private information, photos or messages without their permission.
• Don't ask people for money, and never send money to someone you haven't met.

Respect people's choices

• A "no" or silence means no. Don't keep messaging someone who has stopped replying or blocked you.
• Girls Rule and girls-only activities exist for comfort and safety. Respect them and don't try to get around them.

Report and block

• Use Report on a profile or chat if something feels wrong, and Block to stop someone contacting you.
• We review reports as quickly as we can. False or abusive reports are also against these guidelines.

What happens if you break the rules

We may remove content, limit features, suspend or permanently remove accounts, and, where someone may be in danger or the law requires it, contact the authorities.