How to Stay Safe When Using Online Dating Apps

Online dating has become increasingly popular in recent years. According to Statista, over 380 million people worldwide now use online dating apps. This surge in popularity is understandable, as these platforms offer numerous advantages and simplify the process of meeting new people.

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that online dating does come with certain risks. Not everyone using these platforms has good intentions, and it’s essential to prioritize your safety to avoid being exploited.

In this article, we’ll provide practical steps and tips to help you maintain optimal safety while meeting new people online. Let’s dive right in!

Guard Your Personal Information

One of the most important safety rules when using online dating platforms is maintaining as much privacy as possible. Be careful about the information you share in public spaces.

First, you should avoid putting too much personal information on your profile. For example, if you must enter your location, keep it general, like your state, rather than your city or county. This makes tracking you down more difficult for people with malicious intentions. Similarly, avoid using your full name on your profile, as it can make it easier for others to find you online and potentially misuse your information.

You should also be aware of maintaining this privacy when on a live chat with people. Always steer the conversation away from anything that might threaten your privacy. Basically, you want to avoid sharing too many details with someone until you’re sure you can trust them.

Video Call First

People often include false information on their profiles, sometimes even using other people’s pictures to deceive others about their appearance. To protect yourself from being catfished, it’s important to have video calls with your match after you’ve gotten to know them a bit.

Now, how you go about this depends on the online platform you’re using. If your app is text-based, you should find a way to get the person on a video call before agreeing to any physical meetups. It’s important to be vigilant and able to identify filters that alter appearances, as they can compromise authenticity.

Moreover, starting with dating apps that support video chat is generally advisable when meeting someone new online. These platforms enable direct interaction and verification of the person’s identity. For instance, you can try video chat roulette on LuckyCrush or similar apps for a unique way to connect. Here, you’ll be randomly paired for video chats, providing an immediate visual of the person.

Pace Yourself

Meeting someone new online can be very exciting, especially if they match your interests—you’ll likely find yourself eager to chat or even meet with them. However, it’s crucial to take things slow at this stage.

Take the time to research their social media presence. This allows you to get a deeper understanding of who they are and their views by observing what they engage with online.

Additionally, this research helps ensure you’re not interacting with someone who might have misrepresented themselves or whose identity has been compromised.

Taking it slow also prevents you from overwhelming new connections or coming on too strong too quickly. This approach allows for a more genuine and secure development of your interactions.

Meet in Public

If you’ve finally gotten to the stage where you’re both ready for physical meetups, there are some safety tips to consider. Firstly, never agree to meet anywhere that isn’t in public because the safety risks are too high. In fact, your first two or three physical meetups should always be in very public places, like fairly busy restaurants.

Also, you should plan meetups during the day whenever possible for the added security that it provides. And finally, always ensure someone knows where you’re going and who you’re going to meet. Better still, you should constantly share your location with your loved ones for added security.

Conclusion

Making new connections online can be fun. However, without proper safety precautions, it can also be dangerous. As such, focusing on proper safety practices is crucial for continually remaining safe while making new friends. The above recommendations will help you do just that.