Terms & Conditions

How To Beat Loneliness

Effective date: May 1, 2026  ·  Version 1.1

01 Introduction

Welcome to How To Beat Loneliness (HTBL). We’re glad you’re here. This platform was built to help people feel less alone — through real conversations, shared stories, and a supportive community.

By creating an account or using any part of HTBL, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. Please read them — they’re written to be clear and fair, not to confuse you. If you have questions, you can always reach out to us.

These terms form a legal agreement between you and HTBL. If you do not agree, please do not use the platform.

02 Our services

HTBL offers a space for emotional connection and peer support. Our platform currently includes:

1-on-1 conversations Voice & video calls, Text chat, Community forums, Shared stories, Group support spaces

All support on HTBL is provided by fellow community members, trained listeners, or volunteers — not licensed therapists, counselors, or medical professionals. The goal is human connection, not clinical treatment.

We do not guarantee specific outcomes from using the platform, including improvements in emotional well-being.

We may temporarily suspend or limit access to parts of the platform for maintenance, updates, or operational reasons. We may also update or expand our services over time and will do our best to let you know when significant changes happen.

03 Not medical or professional advice

HTBL is not a medical service. Nothing on this platform is a substitute for professional mental health care, therapy, or emergency services.

The conversations, content, and community support on HTBL are for emotional companionship and general well-being only. They are not clinical diagnoses, treatment plans, or professional recommendations.

Not emergency services. HTBL does not provide crisis support or emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or require urgent help, please contact your local emergency number immediately.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, thoughts of self-harm, or a medical emergency, please contact a qualified professional or emergency service in your area. HTBL is not responsible for any decisions you make based on conversations or content on this platform.

04 Your responsibilities

To keep HTBL a safe and supportive space, you agree to:

• Be honest and respectful in all interactions.
• Use the platform for its intended purpose — emotional support and community connection.
• Keep your account information accurate and up to date.
• Maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials. You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
• Not impersonate anyone or misrepresent your identity.
• Not share content that is harmful, abusive, illegal, or that violates others’ privacy.
• Report any behavior that makes you or others feel unsafe.

You are solely responsible for your own conduct on the platform. HTBL reserves the right to act on reports of misuse.

05 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use HTBL. By registering, you confirm that you meet this requirement.

HTBL is designed for adults. If we discover that a user is under 18, we will deactivate their account. If you believe a minor is using the platform, please contact us right away.

You must also be legally capable of entering into a binding agreement in your country or region to use HTBL.

06 Payments & donations

HTBL may offer optional paid features, subscriptions, or the ability to make voluntary donations to support the platform or its community members.

All payments are processed securely through our payment partners. By making a payment or donation, you authorize HTBL to charge the amount specified at the time of your transaction.

Donations are voluntary and are not required to access core features of the platform. Unless otherwise stated, donations are not tax-deductible.

Prices may change over time. We’ll communicate any changes to paid plans in advance, giving you a chance to cancel before being charged at a new rate.

07 Refund policy

All purchases on HTBL are generally non-refundable. By completing a payment, you acknowledge and accept this policy.

We aim to handle refund requests fairly and transparently. Dissatisfaction with the platform, its community, or outcomes does not qualify for a refund — we encourage you to review what HTBL offers before purchasing.

Subscriptions: You may cancel your subscription at any time. You’ll keep access until the end of your current billing period. We do not offer prorated refunds for unused time.

One-time payments: Refunds are only considered in cases of billing errors or service non-delivery. If you believe either applies, contact us within 14 days of the charge. Approved refunds are processed within 5–10 business days.

Donations: Donations are non-refundable. If you made a donation by mistake, contact us within 48 hours and we’ll assess the situation on a case-by-case basis.

08 Community guidelines

HTBL only works when everyone feels safe. The following behaviors are not allowed on the platform:

• Harassment, bullying, or targeting other users in any form.
• Sharing hateful, discriminatory, or threatening content.
• Giving unsolicited medical advice or acting as a professional when you are not.
• Sharing explicit, graphic, or adult sexual content.
• Spamming, self-promotion, or advertising without permission.
• Attempting to exploit or manipulate vulnerable users.

Violations may result in a warning, temporary suspension, or permanent removal from the platform, depending on severity. We take these guidelines seriously because the safety of our community depends on them.

09 User-generated content

HTBL allows you to share content — including a profile, written stories, audio recordings, and video. By posting any content on the platform, you grant HTBL a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display and use that content as part of operating the platform.

You retain ownership of everything you create. We do not sell your content to third parties.

You are responsible for ensuring that your content does not violate anyone else’s rights — including copyright, privacy, or personal safety. Do not share content that identifies another person without their consent.

HTBL may remove content that violates these terms or our community guidelines without prior notice.

10 Privacy

We take your privacy seriously. Our Privacy Policy explains in detail how we collect, use, and protect your personal information — including what you share in conversations and on your profile.

By using HTBL, you acknowledge and agree to our Privacy Policy. We encourage you to read it carefully.

Your conversations on HTBL are not public by default. Please review your privacy settings and the Privacy Policy to understand how your data is handled.

11 Limitation of liability

HTBL provides its platform on an “as is” basis. While we work hard to maintain a safe and reliable service, we cannot guarantee that it will always be uninterrupted, error-free, or free from harmful conduct by other users.

HTBL is not responsible for the behavior, actions, or statements of other users on the platform. Any interactions you have with other members are at your own discretion and risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, HTBL and its team are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform — including emotional distress, loss of data, or harm resulting from interactions with other users.

Our total liability to you for any claim is limited to the amount you paid to HTBL in the 12 months preceding the claim, or $100 — whichever is less.

This does not affect any rights you have under applicable consumer protection laws.

12 Termination

You can leave anytime. You may deactivate or delete your account at any time through your account settings. Upon deletion, your personal data will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

We may suspend or close your account if we determine that you have seriously or repeatedly violated these Terms, engaged in harmful behavior, or if required by law. We’ll try to give you notice when possible, unless the situation requires immediate action.

Termination does not affect any provisions of these Terms that are intended to survive, including limitations of liability and ownership of content you’ve posted.

13 Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms from time to time as the platform evolves. When we make significant changes, we’ll notify you — by email, in-app notification, or by posting a notice on the platform — at least 14 days before the changes take effect.

If you continue using HTBL after the updated Terms come into effect, that means you accept the new version. If you don’t agree with a change, you’re free to close your account before it takes effect.

The effective date at the top of this page always shows when these Terms were last updated.

14 Contact us

If you have questions about these Terms, want to make a complaint, or need help with your account, please get in touch:

Platform: How To Beat Loneliness (HTBL)

Email: support@howtobeatloneliness.com

Response time: Within 2–3 business days

By using HTBL, you confirm you have read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.
These terms are governed by applicable law in the jurisdiction where HTBL is registered.