Online friends can keep you entertained, make good friends, support you when you are down, and keep you active, many people think that online friends aren't who they say they are and are not to be trusted, here are some easy tips to keep online safety on your side.
First, by making sure you've seen their face, seen their friends, talked to them one on one in a video call, possibly seen their parents, and confirmed they are truly who they say they are, you can progress onto the next steps.
Secondly, confirming their age and that they are in your correct age group, and making sure you do not talk to people ages younger than you or older, will help you stay safe.
Thirdly, making sure that your parents have confirmed your safety and that you are allowed to have these sorts of friends, is very important. Making sure you don't share important information about yourself online is a step to keeping you safe online. Make sure you set your boundaries and safety levels, such as what you will and will not share, what you will talk about, and what's a hard no, and make sure your parents confirm these and look over the conversations!