"Looking for a group of strangers to have a meal together?" Recently, a social format called "blind box socializing" has attracted many young people to participate online. Participants explain that in "blind box socializing," all participants are strangers to one another, and the identities of companions in the activity are unknown. Some participants say they have made many new friends through such activities, but some organizers also admit that they have encountered impolite behavior from certain individuals during the events. The uncertainty, much like that of a blind box, has become a defining feature of this type of socializing.

Many people have small social circles and limited channels for making friends. Surveys show that 70 percent of women consider their social circles too narrow; a fixed social circle is one of the difficulties young people face in making friends. This means many people are eager to expand their social reach in order to find friends and partners, add variety to their lives, and grow their networks. The emergence of "blind box socializing" precisely meets this demand. However, "blind box socializing" and "blind box products" share a common trait: while bringing novelty and excitement, they also bring uncertainty.

Although many new forms of socializing have emerged in recent years—such as "camping socializing," "gaming socializing," "fitness socializing," "reading socializing," and "travel socializing"—"blind box socializing" has its own unique features. First, because the social targets are uncertain, it feels exciting and fun. Second, because the social targets are strangers, people can communicate without worrying too much and without pressure. Third, it helps to develop one's social skills and allows one to screen for people with similar interests. Of course, it can also expand one's social circle.

However, the uncertainty of "blind box socializing" also means certain risks are hidden within. Just as "blind box products" carry risks such as being "three-no" products (no production date, no quality certificate, no manufacturer) or counterfeit and shoddy goods, "blind box socializing" likewise carries many risks, which in summary mainly concern personal safety and property safety. Because "blind box socializing" is random, participants do not know the other party's situation in advance, so personal safety faces various hidden dangers. For example, reports have disclosed that some participants were found harassing women, which can easily threaten personal safety.

In addition, it cannot be ruled out that some people use "blind box socializing" to commit fraud. Today, various telecom and online frauds exist not only online but also offline. If certain individuals pose as "rich and handsome men" or "beautiful and wealthy women" to participate in "blind box socializing," they may defraud others through tactics such as luring them into investments. This is because the biggest drawback of "blind box socializing" is the opacity of participants' identities and other information, which easily gives scammers opportunities to commit fraud. How to guard against this "dual danger" needs to be taken seriously.

The author believes that "blind box socializing" has its practical significance, but it must be premised on "dual safety." Organizers of such activities must fulfill their safety responsibilities. Specifically, this includes fulfilling the obligation to remind participants about safety, with reminders as detailed as possible; conducting necessary verification of participants' identity and other information at the registration stage; and imposing necessary "rules" on participants' behavior, preferably bound by contract. Regardless of whether the organizer's purpose is public welfare or commercial, they should fulfill the obligation of safety assurance when organizing such activities.

Each participant should also enhance their own safety awareness. Although one can talk to strangers, communication should maintain safe boundaries, and key information involving personal safety and property safety must not be disclosed. Toward participants with improper behavior, one should either keep one's distance or complain to the organizer, and must never be cheated out of money or sexually exploited by participating in "blind box socializing." Once losses occur, victims should, in accordance with the Civil Code and other legal provisions, seek compensation from the infringer and the event organizer. This is also an important aspect of safety assurance.

According to the Civil Code, if organizers of mass activities fail to fulfill their safety assurance obligations and cause harm to others, they shall bear tort liability. Whether "blind box socializing" is safe depends crucially on organizers fulfilling their duties in accordance with the law. Experts also remind that behaviors involving socializing with strangers may encounter scammers or bad people, and both participants and organizers should be careful to screen them. Relevant authorities should strengthen guidance and regulation.