With all the new avenues for dating that have opened up thanks to the internet, it’s no wonder that more and more people are looking to date online. But, of course, with all new technology comes new pitfalls. You never know who you’re talking to online, and it’s important to be careful when giving out personal information or meeting someone in person for the first time. Here are some tips for staying safe when dating online:
Always Remember: You Don’t Know These People
A lot of the time, people tend to forget that they’re talking to strangers online. It’s easy to get caught up in the conversation and start assuming that you know everything about the person you’re talking to, but you really don’t. Until you meet someone in person, they are essentially a blank slate. So, it’s important to remember that you don’t really know these people and to be careful about what you say and share with them.
Take Your Time To Find Out Who They Are
People often feel pressured to meet up with someone as soon as possible, but it’s really important to take your time and get to know the person first. Exchange a few messages, talk on the phone, or even video chat before you agree to meet them in person. This will help you get a better sense of who they are and whether or not you want to meet up with them.
Be sure to ask questions about their lives and look for any inconsistencies in their story. Often, people who are lying or hiding something will have a hard time keep their story straight, so this can be a good way to weed out the bad apples.
Some questions to ask to trip them up include:
- What do you do for a living?
- Where did you grow up?
- What’s your family like?
You can also ask them to tell you stories about their life or specific situations they’ve been in. If they stumble, it could be a sign that they’re making something up.
Watch Out For the Dreaded Catfish
“Catfishing” is when someone creates a fake online profile in order to take advantage of someone else. They might do this to scam people out of money, or just to mess with them emotionally. Either way, it’s not something you want to deal with. That gorgeous girl you met on the sugar daddy websites might be real, but the supermodel from Tinder might not be.
Seemingly wonderful people that seem too good to be true probably are. Be wary of anyone who:
- Asks for money early on in the relationship
- Wants to meet up with you right away without getting to know you first
- Has a vauge or incomplete profile
- Avoids answering personal questions
- Refuses to video chat or talk on the phone
Don’t Meet Up With Them Right Away
If you decide to meet up with someone you met online, make sure you do it in a public place and tell a friend or family member where you’re going. It’s also not a bad idea to have someone else with you, just in case. Obviously, that might not be possible on an actual date, but you can always tell someone you know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. You can even get a picture of your date’s ID to send to a friend, just to be extra safe.
Finally, if all else fails, have an exit strategy. Have someone call you during your date to give you an excuse to leave if things are going south, or come up with a code word to text them if you’re in trouble.
Don’t Give Out Too Much Personal Information
When you’re first getting to know someone online, it’s tempting to share everything about yourself with them. But, again, you don’t really know this person yet, so it’s important to hold back on giving out too much information. There’s no need to give them your full name, address, or phone number until you’re sure that you can trust them.
And, even then, you can still keep some things to yourself. There’s no need to give them your life story – just stick to the basics for now. Once you’ve been talking to them for a while and you’re both comfortable, then you can start sharing more about yourself.
Conclusion
Dating online can be a great way to meet new people, but it’s important to stay safe. Be sure to take your time getting to know someone, and watch out for red flags that might indicate they’re not who they say they are. Don’t give out too much personal information and always meet up with someone in a public place. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your experience is a positive one.