Honest, not hurtful

Last updated: 28 September 2026 · The Sea Messages safety team

Anonymous messages are fun when they're kind and painful when they're not. So we built safety into sending itself, not as a button at the bottom of a menu. This page explains what we do, and what you can do.

Are messages checked before they arrive?

Yes. Every message goes through an automatic check before delivery: word lists plus an AI check for bullying, threats, hate and sexual content. A message that fails is held or rejected and the recipient never sees it, and our team reviews some messages in person.

The check is designed to stop hurtful messages, but no system is perfect. That's why block and report are always there, inside every message.

What if a message is a little harsh?

If a message sounds hurtful, we ask the sender before it's sent whether they'd like to soften it, because words can land harder than intended. Many people rewrite when they're asked gently. The goal isn't to stop honesty; it's honesty without the cruelty.

How do I block someone or report a message?

Open the message and choose block or report. Blocking stops that sender from reaching you again, even if they're anonymous, because we know their account on our servers without revealing it to you. Reports go to our team, and the sender isn't told you blocked or reported them.

What can I control?

From the Me tab you decide who reaches you and when. You can hide messages containing certain words, pause notifications during hours you choose, close the open sea so random bottles from strangers stop arriving, or choose Only from my link so people can reach you only through your link, and delete your account at any time.

Muted words: any message with a word you add stays off your shore.
Quiet hours: no notifications during the times you set.
Open sea: choose whether random bottles from the open sea can reach you; it's on by default.
Only from my link: nobody finds you in search and no open-sea bottles arrive, only messages through your link.
Blocked list: review it and unblock whenever you like, without learning who they were.

What should I do if I get a hurtful message?

Don't reply. Block the sender and report the message from inside it; we review it and act against the sender if they broke the rules. If it's a threat or affects your safety, keep a screenshot, talk to someone you trust, and write to support@seamessages.com.

Don't reply, and don't try to work out who sent it.
Tap Report inside the message, choose a reason and tick Also block the sender.
If it's a threat, keep a screenshot and tell someone you trust.
If you feel in real danger, call your local emergency number.

What if someone is going through a hard time?

If someone writes something that suggests they're thinking about hurting themselves, we show them, after sending, where to find help at any hour. If you or someone you know is in danger right now, call your local emergency number, or find a nearby helpline at findahelpline.com.

A short guide for parents and teachers

Sea Messages is for people aged 13 and over, and under-18s should use it with a parent's knowledge. We show no ads, never reveal a sender to the people they message, and check every message before it arrives. The best protection is a conversation: agree with your children what they'll do if a message upsets them.

Remind them not to share personal details: address, school, phone number.
Show them block and report inside a message; neither reveals who used it.
Help them close the open sea in the Me tab; it's on by default.
Ask them to tell you if a message scares them, with no blame.
Questions or account deletion requests: support@seamessages.com.

What are the rules?

No bullying, threats, hate or sexual content, no sharing other people's private information, and no trying to find out who sent an anonymous message. We hold messages that break the rules and may suspend accounts that keep doing it. The full rules are in our terms of use.