ASKfm Teen Guide: Being Smart & Safe on ASKfm

You cannot use ASKfm if you are under 13.

ASKfm is not for children under 13. Please do not lie or change your age to use our service. Our age restrictions are in place for a reason, and it is with your safety in mind that we uphold these limitations. (Refer to our Terms of Service for more information.)

Respect others.

Respect is the foundation of our community. Basically, the “Golden Rule” rules here too:  treat other users on ask.fm as you would like to be treated. Also, remember that sarcasm and other forms of humor may seem funny when joking around in person with friends, but they can sound mean in the digital world. Negative content posted online can have lasting consequences, and ASKfm does not support any form of cyber-bullying or harassment. If you see any posts that you believe may be considered cyber-bullying or harassment, please report them directly to us.

Respect yourself.

We want you to take your own safety seriously. You never have to answer questions you’re uncomfortable answering, and you can avoid content that makes you feel upset, angry, or afraid. Please recognize your own personal boundaries and reach out to us when you need help. Also, don’t let other users be repeatedly unkind to you. We’ve designed ask.fm so that you can report inappropriate content, delete negative comments, and block questions from threatening or disrespectful users, and decide whether or not you want to receive questions from anonymous users. Never hesitate when it comes to your own safety and self-esteem.

Tips for Staying Safe Online:

Keep your password and other private information safe.   

Do not tell anyone your password! Your password is the key to your account, so make sure to protect your account by not sharing your password with anyone (even your closest friends). Do not post your password or any private information on ASKfm or any other website.

Our safety team recommends creating passwords that are at least eight characters in length and include a combination of symbols, capitals, and numbers. Please do not choose passwords that will be easy for others to guess. We also suggest that you lock your phones, laptops, and mobile devices with passwords of their own as an added precaution. Make sure to log out when you’re finished, especially when someone else may access your device after you.

Think before you post.

Remember that anything you post on ASKfm is publicly viewable. This means you shouldn’t post anything you don’t want the world to see and remember. It is especially important to make sure you do not post any private information, including your full name, address, phone number, and other details that people could use to identify you. (This includes photos and videos!)

Do not post anything inappropriate.

Please see our Terms of Service to understand the kinds of content that are inappropriate for ASKfm. These include depictions of graphic violence, nudity, and other content that could make ASKfm a less open and welcoming place for everyone. Inappropriate content may even become a legal matter, and ASKfm will cooperate with law enforcement to help protect our users.

Learn to use our report and block features.

If you see any content (question, answer, photo, or video) that you think does not belong on ASKfm, please report it to us! Check our Terms of Service for more information on what kinds of content don’t belong on ASKfm. To report a post, click on the flag icon to the right of any question or answer. Then, just choose the right category and submit your report!

You can also block another user completely. This means that other user will not be able to send you any questions in the future. You can do this by clicking on the block icon (next to the report flag). You can un-block someone any time. Just go to Settings, and then look up your blacklist for the current list of users you have blocked.

Control the questions from other users that appear on your profile.

You have the right to decide which questions appear on your public profile, this doesn’t happening automatically.  In fact, questions from other ASKfm users only show up on your profile when you actually answer the question they ask. If you do not answer, these questions do not appear on your profile – ever. And remember, you can always block specific users and the ability of other users to ask you anonymous questions, any time.

Take a stand against cyber-bullying.

When it comes to cyber-bullying, victims are never responsible. Don’t blame yourself when someone says something hurtful, and take a stand against them by reporting concerns, removing content, and blocking these types of users. Also, know that you’re not alone. ASKfm takes cyber-bullying very seriously, and we are here with you to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. You just need to communicate with us.

When someone says something that bothers you online, it can be tempting to join in with their negative comments or respond back in a hurtful way. Please don’t give cyberbullies the reaction they might be looking for. Instead, reach out to us and rely on your trusted friends and family members to support you. Most importantly, never keep cyber-bullying a secret.

Be aware of phishing scams.

Be wary of links that take you away from ASKfm, especially when they require you to log in or provide any personal information.  Hackers can gain access to your electronic devices and personal data this way. Always do your research and retype the website’s URL manually into your browser window once you know it’s valid.

You may encounter websites or apps that claim they can reveal the names or profiles of the users who have asked anonymous questions.  They request that you enter your email, password or other personal information — or they ask you to download software on your computer or mobile device.

DO NOT fill out any forms or download anything to your computer from any website that claims they can reveal anonymous askers on ASKfm. They are trying to trick you into revealing your private information or into downloading malware or tracking software. Instead, report it to the ASKfm Support team.

If you believe your account has been compromised, please contact us so we can help you re-secure your account

Make sure you have a secure Internet connection and updated security software.

Hackers can potentially see everything you type over unsecured networks. Make sure your anti-malware software and operating systems are current at all times, and always log out when using unsecured WiFi networks.

Avoid face-to-face meetings with unknown users.

Never agree to meet someone alone that you don’t know well, and be very cautious of strangers requesting to meet-up. It is important to research new friends online, communicate with parents and those you trust most about new relationships, and arrange first-time meetings in the presence of other friends and adults in public settings.

Be cautious of what others tell you online.

Just because it’s written down, doesn’t make it a fact. Remember to do your own research about what you see and avoid content the makes you feel uncomfortable in any way. ASKfm prides itself on the fun experiences we offer; however, it is important to consider your own beliefs and be discerning when it comes to information posted online.

Contact ASKfm whenever you need help.

If you have any questions about ASKfm, please refer to our FAQ first. If the FAQ does not answer your question, feel free to contact us directly through the Contact Us form on the bottom of the page. We will do our best to respond to you within 24 hours.

If you have a problem with another user, or with something another user posted, you can always report that content to ASKfm by using our report function. We evaluate ALL reports, and we will do our best to solve the situation. You also always have the option to block another user and prevent that person from sending you any more questions.

If you are having problems with something or someone on ASKfm, it can be helpful to talk to a parent, guardian, teacher, or another adult who you trust. (Please direct them to the Safety Center and our FAQ for Parents if they would like more information about ASKfm.)

If you are thinking of harming yourself or others, or if you see someone who may be in danger of self-harm or harm to others, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) immediately. It can also be helpful to talk to a trusted adult if you find yourself in this situation. If you think this is an emergency, please contact your local law enforcement.

Remember that ASKfm cares.

We care about your opinions. We care about your experiences. We care about you. ASKfm’s commitment to safety is an ongoing effort, and we are dedicated to working with you to offer a safe, open, and fun community for everyone. For more information on ASKfm’s safety policies and Terms of Service, please visit http://ask.fm/about/policy/terms-of-service.