Stranger Danger

We’ve all heard the phrase “stranger danger.” It’s been repeated so often that it feels like truth: strangers are risky, and the people we already know are safe. But life isn’t that simple.

The message to kids is clear—don’t talk to people you don’t know, because they might hurt you. While it comes from a place of caution, it also plants a seed of fear. It suggests that new people are to be avoided rather than explored. Yet if I think about it, every friend I have today started out as a stranger. Some of the best opportunities, experiences, and relationships in my life came from conversations with people I had never met before.

At the same time, knowing someone doesn’t guarantee safety or goodness. Familiar faces can have hidden flaws. Some can betray trust. The idea that “known equals safe” and “unknown equals dangerous” is misleading at best, harmful at worst.

The truth is more balanced: some strangers may be unkind, but many are wonderful. Some familiar people may support us, while others may disappoint. That’s what makes human connection so interesting.

For me, strangers aren’t a threat—they’re an opportunity. Every new encounter is the chance to discover a friend.

John Bradley "JJ" Jackson

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