Hobbiest is a community of people who care about doing the things they love and meeting others who share that fire. These Community Guidelines describe how we expect Users to treat one another. They are written in plain language because they're meant for everyone — but they have the same force as our Master Terms of Service and our Acceptable Use Policy.
Be Real.
Use accurate information. Be the person you say you are. Don't use photos of other people or AI-generated likenesses of real humans. Pretending to be someone you aren't — including for "joke" or "test" accounts — is grounds for removal.
Be Kind.
Disagreement is fine; cruelty is not. Hobbiest is not a place for harassment, hate speech, gendered slurs, racial abuse, or content that attacks people for who they are. Block buttons are there for a reason — use them, and we'll respect that choice on both sides.
Be Safe.
If you meet someone from Hobbiest in person, meet in public the first few times. Tell a friend where you're going. Trust your instincts. We can't verify everyone's identity, and you are the best judge of your own safety. See the Safety section below for specific guidance.
Be Decent About Content.
No nudity, no graphic violence, no content that sexualizes or endangers minors, no scams, no spam, no drug sales, no weapons sales. AskGuru is for sharing skill, not for making promises about money, romance, or medical/legal outcomes.
Be Honest About AI.
We use AI to help match, recommend, and suggest. You can use AI to brainstorm or polish your posts. Don't pass off AI-generated content as the work of a real, named person without disclosure, and don't use AI to impersonate other Users or generate misleading media.
Be Constructive in AskGuru.
AskGuru is a coaching space. Gurus, when you respond, share your genuine experience; don't hold yourself out as a credentialed professional unless you are one (and even then, AskGuru is not formal professional services). Learners, take advice as a starting point, not a guarantee.
Meeting Other Users in Person.
Hobbiest is designed to lead, in many cases, to real-world interaction. Please keep these basics in mind:
- Meet in a public, well-trafficked location the first time. Don't share your home address until you're comfortable.
- Tell a friend or family member where you're going, when you expect to be back, and the username of the person you're meeting.
- Arrange your own transportation. Plan how to get home before the meeting.
- Don't leave your drink unattended. Be cautious about substances offered to you.
- If something feels off, leave. Trust your instincts.
Romance Scams and Financial Solicitation.
Hobbiest is not a venue for sending or requesting money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, investment opportunities, or business solicitations. Be alert to "love-bombing," requests for money for emergencies, instructions to move conversations to other apps quickly, or refusals to video-chat. Report these patterns.
Sensitive Topics and Self-Harm.
Hobbiest is not a substitute for professional support. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to local crisis resources. In the United States, you can dial or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. International resources are listed in our Help Center.
Reporting.
See something that violates these guidelines? Tap the Report button on the content or profile, or email support@hobbiest.ai. We commit to acknowledging reports of objectionable User Content within 24 hours and taking appropriate action — which may include removing content, contacting law enforcement, or suspending or terminating the Account at issue.
What We Do and Don't Do.
We provide in-app tools to block, mute, and report Users and content. We use a combination of human review and automated tooling to detect and remove harmful content, including content that endangers minors, content that incites violence, and known scam patterns. We cooperate with lawful law-enforcement requests.
We do not conduct criminal background checks on Users. We do not verify the identity, age, employment, credentials, or location of Users beyond standard registration safeguards, except as expressly stated. We do not insure, guarantee, or assume liability for the conduct of any User on or off the Platform. We do not chaperone or supervise real-world activities.
If Something Goes Wrong.
For urgent concerns, contact support@hobbiest.ai. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. If you encounter a User who appears to be a minor, please report the Account immediately. We report apparent child sexual abuse material to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as required by law.