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Love it or hate it, love is in the air this February! Before you reactivate your profile on multiple dating apps, hold your heart’s horses. Errors in judgment can result in a date gone wrong. Here are some online dating safety tips to safely swipe right, so you can find romance with peace of mind.
The Dangers of Dating Apps
Matchmaking platforms have made finding love a lot easier in today’s modern playing field. But a digital romance could put you at risk for dangers such as privacy breaches, romance fraud, catfishing, online harassment, and stalking. Continue reading to discover essential safety tips to help you protect yourself as you search
Don’t Connect with Suspicious Profiles
Recognizing and avoiding suspicious profiles is your first line of defense against online dating scams like catfishing a.k.a. someone who lies about who they are online. If a profile photo looks too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of accounts with only one photo, no biography, or no linked social media accounts. Don’t be afraid to block and report suspicious users, either. Most apps allow you to do this anonymously, so you don’t have to worry about the social repercussions of being vigilant.
Delay Sharing Personal Information
When you think you’ve found the one, sometimes, it can be tempting to share every detail about yourself to catch your potential date’s attention. Go ahead and woo them with your Nobel prize-worthy dreams and aspirations, but for the sake of online dating safety, hold off on giving out personal information, like your home or work address.
Most dating apps allow you to sign up using your social media account as a quick and easy method to create a profile. But to dodge online dating scams, going through the lengthy registration process can help you avoid potential scams and protect your personal information.
Video Chat Before Meeting Up
Play it safe and have your first date online! So, you’ve been chatting for a while and decided to take the next step. Before making big plans to meet your online love interest in real life, why not plan a pre-date meetup on FaceTime?
Not only will a video call allow you to confirm or change your mind about your online chemistry, but it also provides another layer of security. If they’re rejecting your calls or always seem to have excuses for not picking up, maybe you should ditch that date idea.
Inform Someone Where You’re Going
If you’ve ticked all the boxes and your online flame checks out, tell a friend where you’re going and who you’re meeting up with. Chances are, they’ll want the details on your hot date anyway, so might as well inform them of your whereabouts in case you need to send out an SOS signal.
Meet in a Public Place
When you’re ready to see each other, meet up in a public place with strong connectivity. Most dates follow the usual wine-and-dine routine: dinner at a romantic, dimly lit restaurant followed by some drinks or a movie. For peace of mind, turn down suggestions for a last-minute out-of-town getaway to a remote location. Instead, choose a place that’s public, well-lit, and with a strong cellular signal.
Dating apps are a fun and convenient way to meet new people and, if you’re lucky, find love. But before your virtual quest for romance, play it smart. By all means, open up your heart. But most of all, when it comes to dating online, trust your gut. Not many establishments have free WiFi, so now would be a good time to upgrade your mobile plan. You can also consider flexible prepaid promos that offer reliable connectivity, so you can be reachable no matter where the night takes you!
