watch the video
5 Scary Facts About Online Dating (Stay safe online!)How to Protect Yourself and Your Privacy on Dating Apps
Online dating is so common now that native girls dating sites almost synonymous with plain old dating.
For the most part, dating apps and websites have given us a convenient new way to connect with people—but online dating has introduced some new issues. Interacting with strangers through apps can put you at risk for identity theft, online harassment, and scams. And if you decide to meet up in the real world, there’s unfortunately also a chance you could find yourself in physical danger.
You’re never responsible for the predatory or disrespectful behavior of others, but there are things you can do to protect yourself when you’re interacting with a stranger. Below we have listed some useful safety tips, as well as a chart that compares the safety and security features of some of the most popular dating apps of 2019.
See what we’re doing to protect you on Tinder.
Comparing dating apps: How safe are they?
App rankings can get convoluted as the list of pros and cons varies widely and evolves constantly. To keep things simple, we reviewed eight of the most popular apps and developed a basic checklist of features that can affect users’ safety, security, and privacy. See our metric definitions below the chart to learn more.
Safety guidelines
Does the app offer its own set of safety guidelines or tips, and are they easily accessible? Many of the apps above will actually promote these guidelines on the sign-up page, while others require a little more digging. Luckily, we were able to find these guidelines fairly quickly on each one.
Lengthy sign-up
Does it take more than just a few minutes to sign up? The process of creating a new profile varies widely depending on the app. The more casual ones typically require just a phone online dating tips safety or email address, name, age, and location. On the other hand, apps that focus on more serious relationships will require new users to answer a series of in-depth questions about their preferences and personality. The safest ones will go as far as to require additional steps to verify or authenticate your account information. Generally speaking, a longer sign-up process means fewer fake accounts on the app.
Reporting and blocking
Can users easily block and report suspicious accounts? After reading through the user guidelines of each app, we determined that each one on our list does in fact offer both reporting and blocking features, though the terminology may differ. For example, Hinge allows you to “remove” someone, and on Tinder you can “unmatch”—but both are synonymous with blocking.
Controlled visibility
Are users able to control the visibility of their profile? It’s important to remember that anything you put online is essentially public—that’s true for dating apps too. But some apps make it easier than others for users to find and contact one another. Grindr, for instance, allows you to search for people within the app. On the other end of the spectrum, Hinge offers several options for users to control who they see and who sees them. The online dating tips safety options here, the better.
Fraud prevention
No matter the app or its features, online dating tips safety, it’s important to keep in mind that any dating site has the potential for fake accounts. The guidelines above can offer an extra layer of protection, but in the end, no app is able to truly verify the identity of its members, nor do they perform background checks, online dating tips safety. But you can do things on your own to make up for this—which you’ll find in our tips below.
Choosing a site and setting up your profile
1. Avoid sites and apps that let just anyone message you. Unfortunately, people already get lots of unpleasant and disrespectful messages. That probably can’t be completely avoided, but if you use an app that requires both parties to express interest before they start messaging, you may get fewer messages that make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
2. Pay attention to the geography settings in dating apps. Many dating apps use your location, but strangers shouldn’t have access to information that lets them find your specific neighborhood.
3. Use unique photos for your dating profile. It is really easy to do a reverse image search with Google. If your dating profile has a photo that also shows up on your Instagram or Facebook account, it will be easier for someone to find you on social media.
4. Avoid putting lots of personal details on your profile. Don’t include your last name, online dating tips safety, contact information, or social media account handles. And while you’re checking your online dating profile, check your other social media accounts. Do they have lots of information that would make it easy for a stranger to steal your identity or track you down in real life? Reevaluate what you’re sharing—even if you’ve got tight privacy settings, there’s the possibility that someone in your friend list could share information from your profile with someone you don’t know.
Interacting online
5. Use the dating app’s messaging system. It might be less convenient than texting with your phone’s default messaging system, but it gives you extra protection.
6. Set up a Google Voice phone number just for dating. At some point, you may want to talk to someone on the phone before you meet them in person, online dating tips safety. But instead of giving your real phone number to someone you don’t know, consider using a Google phone number and forwarding it to your phone. It’s pretty easy—once you log in to Google Voice, you can search by area code and choose an available number. Once you pick a number, the instructions will walk you through the rest of the setup.
7. Talk to mutual friends. Dating apps will sometimes show you when you and the person you’re talking to have mutual friends. Check in with those friends and find out what they think of the person you’re interested in.
8. Get to know them, but don’t share too many details at first. The point of talking online is to get to know someone better, but it’s still smart to wait to share more personal details until you’ve met them in person. Unfortunately, someone who seems great when chatting in an app could be very different in real life.
Meeting in the real world
9. Arrange your own transportation. It’s smart to avoid letting someone know exactly where you live until you know them better. Drive yourself to the date or get a ride, but don’t have your date pick you up or take you home.
10. Meet in a public place for your first date. The first date is a great time to try out a coffee shop, wander through a museum, or chat over dinner and drinks.
11. Stay aware and alert. You should be able to trust those around you to be respectful, safe, and kind, but unfortunately that’s not always reality. Take extra care of yourself when you’re out with a stranger. Don’t leave your drink unattended, drink less than you would if you were out with close friends, and avoid staying out until you’re really tired.
12. Enlist the help of a friend. Let someone know you’re going out with someone new, tell them where you’re going, and set a time for them to check in on you and make sure you’re okay.
13. Keep some emergency cash on hand. Keep a little bit of cash somewhere on your person so that you have money if your bag or wallet gets lost or stolen.
14. Consider carrying a self-defense tool. Carrying a self-defense weapon is a very personal decision, but if it makes you feel safer, you may want to carry a Taser, pepper spray, or a knife. In some cases, even a flashlight can make an online dating tips safety self-defense tool.
You should never feel bad for putting your safety first, even if it means you have to do something that feels rude.
Following the advice above can help you stay safe in the dating world, online dating tips safety, but if someone or something makes you feel unsafe, it's your right to leave (whether you’re leaving an online conversation or an actual date).
If you’re just messaging, you can simply stop responding and block the other person. Many dating apps will let you unmatch and report problematic behavior. If you’re on a date in real online dating tips safety, get up and walk online dating tips safety, go to the restroom and call a ride, ask the restaurant for an escort to your car, or message a friend and ask them to come meet you. If you've already given out your phone number, there are also ways to block phone numbers.
How you leave is up to you, but you should never feel bad for putting your safety first, even if it means you have to do something that feels rude.
Bonus: Tips for making your date feel safe
What if you’re not especially worried about your own safety, but you want to be a stand-up date? There are lots of things you can do to make your date feel safe and comfortable.
- Suggest meeting in a public place—not your home. And while you’re making plans, keep it to one relatively short activity so your date has an easy out if they’re not having a great time.
- Don’t ask tons of personal questions (even if you’re on a real date). The whole idea of talking online and meeting in real life is to get to know another person, but avoid asking a lot of questions that could make online dating tips safety uncomfortable or suspicious of your intentions. Focus on talking about interests, hobbies, career, music taste, etc.—don’t grill them about specifics. For example, if your date tells you they run every morning, don’t ask about their daily running path—ask what they listen to while they run, or what specific goals they’re working toward.
- Listen, and respect what they say. If your date says they want to limit how much they drink or get home a little earlier so they can wake up for work the next morning, respect that and support it. Don’t pressure them into staying out longer, going to a second activity, or having another drink.
- Get consent. And not just if you go home with someone—pay attention to body language and facial expressions. You can make someone feel safer by being observant. If they tense up when you touch their arm, or look uncomfortable when you move closer, give them some space.
It really all comes down to showing respect. Respect the other person’s time, space, and privacy, and remember that you deserve that same courtesy from the people you meet.
Once again, online dating tips safety, you are in no way responsible for someone else’s predatory behavior, but you should feel empowered to protect yourself and avoid situations that make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
Keep the tips above in mind online dating tips safety make sure you and your date feel comfortable—then have fun getting to know new people, eating yummy food, and exploring your city.
Have you tried any online dating sites? What did you do to make sure you felt safe? Share your advice in the comments below.
Online dating and staying safe
Watch what you share
One of the golden rules of online dating is don’t exchange personal information. This starts with the username you pick; avoid something that might give something away about you, such as your surname, age or year of birth. Second, until you’ve met and feel you can trust the person you’ve met online, don’t share your address, where you work or study, your phone number or email address.
Stay in the app
It’s safer to keep using the messaging function within the dating app or site until you feel you have met and can trust them. If they ask for your number, or ask you to email them or switch to WhatsApp (a common trick among scammers is to say their subscription is running out), just politely decline and say it’s nothing personal, it’s just your policy not to.
Get to know them first
It can be a good idea to message and get to know a bit about each other before meeting up. It can help to give you a sense of who they are – and whether you have things in common. Just think about the details you’re sharing about you and your life. Avoid saying exactly where you live and work for example, until you’ve got to know each other a bit better and feel you can trust them.
“My advice would be to not accept a date with someone straight after making contact”
“My advice would be to not accept a date with someone straight after making contact I remember meeting someone on a dating site who asked me on a date straight after we matched. At the time I thought ‘why not, what’s the point in chatting for hours or even days, why waste time’. But when we met, there was something about him that made me feel slightly uneasy. With hindsight, I’d say – try to have a conversation, get a feel for who they are, what their interests are, what they do for a living.” Anna
Apply a filter
Would you say the same things with someone face-to-face? If not, it’s best not to online either.
Picture sharing
Whether uniform dating site your profile pictures or those sent to individuals you’re chatting to, online dating tips safety, think before you share. Sharing naked or provocative images can online dating tips safety attention that you may not be looking for and could lead to risky situations that are beyond your control.
“For some reason which escapes me now I put up relatively revealing pictures and an online handle (‘Clare wants to play’ – CRINGE!!) on one profile that weren’t exactly designed to elicit a particularly mature response. Consequently I got lots of messages from people who I had no interest in, and looking back it was a risky thing to do because I invited unwanted attention.” Clare
Google them
Try Googling what you know about them and do a Google image search to see where else their photo has appeared. Also, see if you have shared friends on Facebook or look them up on LinkedIn. That can be a great way to suss them out in advance. And trust us, this is not weird, stalk-y behavior. It’s totally sensible and they’re probably doing the same to you.
Trust your gut
Just like when you meet someone face-to-face, your instincts will tell you if something’s not quite right. Maybe they won’t tell you much about themselves but ask you a ton of questions, or perhaps they’ve declared their undying love you before you’ve even met. If it feels weird, chances are something’s not what it seems. Trust your instincts and be cautious until you’ve had long enough to really get to know someone. And if you’re really not sure, online dating tips safety, run it by a friend that you trust to get some advice.
Consider the risks
Bear in mind that there’s a limit to an online dating service’s ability to do background checks or verify someone’s identity. They can’t, for instance, do criminal records checks on every user, online dating tips safety. Do as much research as you can, online dating tips safety, trust your judgement and make an informed decision before meeting up with someone.
First dates are not only scary af because you're putting yourself out there emotionally, but also because meeting a complete stranger you only know online is terrifying. There are things people should do to make people feel safer on dates, but women often have their own rules in place to protect themselves. 15 women answered a Reddit AskWomen thread on how they stay safe when online dating.
1. "I always tell at least one person where I am. I also usually turn on location sharing, just in case. I go one step further and have a safety code system in place if I need to get out of there (both for if I'm uncomfortable, in danger, basically anything that might warrant needing to leave.) I'll text a friend a code word, and they'll call me with an 'emergency' and rescue me. Then there's the usual: meet in a public place, purchase/handle my own drinks (I won't accept a drink he got for me before I got there, or if I didn't see it, etc). I don't accept rides from them, or go to their place." [via]
2. "Before the date, I always screen grab and search their pics like they do on Catfish. I send either my bff or my sister a screen shot of our convo that shows their name/ contact and where we are meeting. For sure drive your car so you can leave if it feels off." [via]
Getty Images
3. "I tell my mum who he is, where he works, where he lives. On the date, it's always in a busy place, and if he drives I'll on the sly get the reg number and send it to my mum. I also will excuse myself to go to the bathroom, and let my mum know he isn't a weirdo online dating tips safety I'm still alive (we are blunt), online dating tips safety. But before all this, it's best have a few phone calls and a couple of online dating tips safety chats whilst getting to know online dating tips safety, before a date is on the cards." [via]
4. "I've been on Tinder for a couple of years now, and never had a problem (maybe I've been lucky, I don't know), but what I do is always let a close friend know what I'm doing/where I'm going. We both have the Find My Friends app turned on on our phones so they can track where I am, and keep them updated if I go anywhere so they know to keep an eye on it. I also always make sure I have guy from grade school online dating reddit person on Snapchat and communicate with them through there a bit before meeting, and make sure my friend knows who they are/what they look like." [via]
5. "I meet in a public place. I always share my location with a close friend. I never accept a ride from someone new. I always drive myself or get an Uber. I never stop sharing location with a close friend. Sometimes my date and I will decide to go somewhere after the initial meeting spot, and my backup must know where I'm at. I always share the date's credentials. Everything I know about them. First name, last name, occupation, place of employment, location of residence. Picture haitian women dating possible.
"Also, it's hard to estimate this, but I try to give my buddy an eta for when I arrive safely home. Midnight is my standard, but if it needs to be extended, I remain in contact every hour or so after midnight until I get home safe." [via]
Getty Images
6. "My roommate and I will tell each other the guy’s name, show his pic, say where we’ll be, what time the meeting is, and when we’ll be back. I always drive myself and meet in a public area." [via]
7. "If you drive/have a car, arrange your date in a public place where you'll have to pay for parking nearby. Pay for an hour of parking. If the date goes well, you can just say 'Oop my parking is about to expire ,but I can run and feed the meter really quick if you'd like to chat some more?' If the date is going downhill, you have a legit excuse to leave! 'Sorry, my parking is expiring soon, gotta go!'" [via]
8. "If you do go home with someone, let a friend know! Facebook messenger has a feature now where you can share your location, so it's easy to message a friend and they can see where you're at, online dating tips safety. Go with your gut, if something feels wrong, leave. You don't EVER owe anyone ANYTHING." [via]
9. "Always tell someone where you're going and when to expect you back, online dating tips safety. Don't be afraid to leave if you're getting a bad vibe, or you feel unsafe. I'd say it's probably a good idea to get a feel for the person before you go home with them, but that's your call to make. I wouldn't accept a drink at their home until I was comfortable with them. If you do get drinks with them, be online dating tips safety about leaving your drink unattended." [via]
10. "I (personally) never go back to someone’s place the very first day I meet them, or accept a drink from them in their home. I prefer to take my time to build up trust and comfort levels before I’ll consider going to their home." [via]
Getty Images
11. "I met a guy once at a bar and I had two beers while we waited for a comedy show to start. He was giving me creepy vibes, and I excused myself to use the restroom and then went to my car without letting him know I was leaving. When I got to my car, I realised I was not good to drive. I called a friend and talked for a while. I was so worried he'd find me sitting in my car. So just be careful with the amount you drink [if you want to be able to drive home]." [via]
12. "I promised myself to not be polite if I got a bad vibe; I had one guy get cranky when I didn’t accept his invitation back to his on the first date, but I held firm and didn’t let his guilt trip lead me to make a bad choice. In the words of my fave podcast, online dating tips safety, 'F**k politeness!'" [via]
13. "Meet in public, tell a friend when/where and guy’s name. I text her when I arrive and an hour later, then again at three hours or when I depart. Don’t give out my address until later. Young gay dating apps also reverse image search and Google dates to make sure they’re on the up and up. Found a few scammers that way." [via]
Getty Images
14. "I met away from my hometown, always in a public restaurant and left separately. It was easy since I lived in a small town, outside of larger town. So dates were easier to set up [with] me going to them, and that way they online dating tips safety have a clue as to where I lived." [via]
15. "First couple of dates were in public. Most of my matches were in a city 50ish minutes away, but I drove home every time, did not accept invitations to passion dating app overnight until we had been out at least five times. I invited him to mine for our third date. Whenever I went to his place, I’d always drive my own car over. if things go sideways, I DO NOT want to be at the mercy of getting a ride back to my vehicle." [via]
Paisley GilmourSex & Relationships EditorPaisley is sex & relationships editor at Cosmopolitan UK, and covers everything from sex toys, online dating tips safety, how to masturbate and sex positions, to all things LGBTQ.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, online dating tips safety, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Are You Exploring the World of Online Dating? Here Are Expert Tips for Staying Safe
Apps are an increasingly popular way to search for love, but despite the ease of meeting new people, online dating can pose risks.
In July, 52-year-old Aubrey Trail was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Sydney Loofe, a 24-year-old Nebraska woman who disappeared after a date with her Tinder match in 2017. Also last month, Juliane Kellner, 42, died in a murder-suicide in Henderson, Nevada, according online dating tips safety police — and her son, 21-year-old Brandon Wilt, believes she met her killer on a dating website, KVVU reported.
While dating in any form can be dangerous, experts Julie Spira, CEO of Cyber-Dating Expert, and Laurie Davis Edwards, founder of The Worthy One, tell PEOPLE there are important steps you can take to safely explore the apps.
How do you know a potential date is real?
“I think one of the first red flags is about the photo,” Spira says. “If there are no photos, it’s a red flag. If there is only one photo, and they look like a hot model, online dating tips safety, it’s a red flag.”
Spira cautions dating app users against trusting photos that seem unrealistic or are blurry, and advises checking a potential date’s pictures with other social media platforms, “to make sure they match up with to what we are seeing on the dating app.”
RELATED: From Tinder to Lulu: A Guide to the Modern World of Dating Apps
In the “predate phase,” Spira tells her clients to use Facebook and Instagram accounts to find mutual friends.
If there are friends and followers in common, “You can then ask your friend if they really know this person to online dating tips safety a digital thumbs up or down before actually accepting a date,” Spira says.
One simple trick for finding those social media profiles and the origin of an image on the internet: Take a screenshot of a user’s profile photo, crop out everything outside the original image and then upload the picture to Google’s reverse image search tool. Note: The search might not yield useful results if your potential date’s social media accounts are set to private or the image has not been posted elsewhere.
When do you meet in real life?
Once you’ve decided your potential date is real, it might be time to meet in real life.
According to Spira, “If you aren’t making plans and messaging back and forth in the first few days, chances are they are chatting with a lot of different people and have no intentions of meeting free disabled dating sie unwillingness to meet could indicate that someone is hiding something or using a dating site for the wrong reasons.
“The point of dating online is actually meeting in person,” Spira says. “It’s not to have a digital pen pal. So, if somebody is canceling or postponing and not making plans to meet IRL, it’s a real problem.”
Where do you go and how do you get there?
Public spots are the best choice, so you can easily get away or find help if a date becomes uncomfortable or unsafe.
“Be careful about scheduling a first date for a hike,” Spira warns. “You don’t want to be on a mountain top — you want to have an easy out.”
A first date spot should also be a place that is easily accessible by driving yourself, using a ride-sharing service, taking public transportation or walking.
“You should never let somebody pick you up at home, on a first or second date,” Spira says. “In online dating tips safety it goes south, you don’t want them showing up, knowing where you live.”
After a date is set, what do you do?
Spira says you should always let someone in your life know that you are going on the date.
“Have a BFF that’s your dating buddy that you check in with,” she says.
Tell them who your date is, where you are going and how the date’s progressing. And if you feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to leave.
“You don’t owe anybody any extra minutes of your precious time,” Spira says.
If a date continues to message you after you have told them you aren’t interested, most dating apps and websites allow users to report inappropriate conduct and block people from contacting them again. For any alarming behavior beyond that, contact the authorities.
Trust your gut
Beyond paying attention to the dos and don’ts and clear red flags, Davis Edwards tells people to use their intuition.
“It’s really about what you’re feeling,” she says.
Davis Edwards often asks people to think about their boundaries before even making an online profile. That way, it’s clear “what’s okay with you and what’s not okay with you” when on how to start an online dating profile date, she advises.
A list of warning signs is great to keep top of mind, but “you don’t need to see it on a list to know if the feeling is on or off. If you have the feeling that something’s not right, hold to that feeling” and take action, Davis Edwards says.
While online dating horror stories are out there, Davis Edwards says that it shouldn’t discourage you from using the internet to find love: “Those stories do exist, and it doesn’t need to be your story.”
How to Date Online Safely
Watch out for romance scams
We got some insider romance scam information from the experts at McAfee. See their tips and advice below.
In the modern world of dating, couples are connecting digitally — even more so in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Before the pandemic began, 30% of all U.S. adults said they have used online dating sites or apps before. Among folks who have never married that number goes up to 52%, and is also higher among adults currently living with a partner at 46%. In 2015, the Pew Research Center found that 59% of people thought online dating was a good way to meet people, whereas just 44% shared that opinion in 2005.
Though its popularity is rising, you may still wonder if online dating is safe. Connecting virtually has risks, but it can be a fun and low-pressure way to meet potential matches if you practice caution. Here are five tips for how you can have a safe online dating experience.
1. Use a trustworthy site
There are 2,500 online dating sites in the U.S., and fraud is on the rise. There are dozens of online dating websites and apps that target college students, so take note even if you live in a safe location.
Take Action: You can often depend on larger, more reputable sites — like Tinder, eHarmony, Bumble, online dating tips safety, Christian Mingle, OkCupid, and Match.com — to protect your private information. Most of these safe online dating services require a membership fee, so choose wisely. Also, once you stop using it, make online dating tips safety you delete your profile.
2. Keep your contact information private
“There’s a difference between being cyber savvy and cyber secure,” says Michael Kaiser, former executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. Any potential dates will likely run your name through a detailed Internet search. They may find your office location on LinkedIn, your address tagged in an Instagram post, or your phone number linked to an online ad.
Take Action: Never post any identifying details on your profile — including your address, phone number, online dating tips safety, or personal email. Teenage lesbian dating apps online dating tips safety you also limit the information posted on your other virtual platforms. Set your security settings to the private on all your online dating tips safety media accounts and never authorize an app to post your location.
3. Play detective on potential suitors
It’s important to verify your suitor is who they say they are by checking where else their photos are posted. Perhaps their dating profile image is the same as their Twitter profile picture — people tend to be much less filtered on social media sites like Twitter, and online dating tips safety could discover some unsavory personality traits. You may also find out whether or not they are using a fake photo of a model or celebrity.
Take Action: Copy the profile picture of a potential match into the Google Images search bar on your computer or use reverse image search on your phone. Google will search for that image using facial recognition, landmark identification, and photo binary data to verify the source of the photo.
SafeWise Recommends
Download the Noonlight app. This is a mobile panic button that uses GPS to track your location and send help when activated. Best of all—basic service is totally free.
4. Be smart about face-to-face meetings
If you’ve clicked with someone and would like to meet in person, choose your location wisely. Never meet at your home or office where they could easily find you again, and never choose a secluded location — Match.com recommends you immediately end the date if your date pressures you to do otherwise.
Take Action: Before you leave to meet a virtual date, tell a roommate or friend who you are meeting, where you are going, and what time you plan to be home. Consider planning a “safe call”: arrange for a friend to call you during the date to make sure you feel comfortable. Always drive yourself to and from the date, instead of relying on someone you met online for a car ride home.
5. Don’t be afraid to report someone
Respected dating sites will encourage users to report any shady activity. These sites do not tolerate behavior that is aggressive or illegal. Most dating sites include the option to block an individual user if your interactions make you feel uneasy.
Take Action: If someone is harassing or extorting you, contact the dating site’s customer service immediately. The Federal Trade Commission encourages anyone involved in a relationship scam to also contact its Complaint Assistant, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, and your state Attorney General.
What you need to know about romance scams
This information was provided to us by the experts at McAfee.
Online romance scams are becoming more common—and more costly.
According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the reported costs of online romance scams jumped 50% from 2019 to 2020, to the tune of $304 million. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of romance scam cases reported tripled.
And just like a bad ex, it’s safe to say romance scams are not worth the time or money. That’s why McAfee, a global leader in online safety, helps consumers protect their hearts (and wallets) from fraudulent scammers, especially around peak times such as Valentine’s Day.
To meet people safely online, especially through social media, McAfee shares three things you can do to limit your chances of getting caught up with a scammer.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and others give you the option of making your profile and posts visible to friends only. Choosing this setting keeps the broader internet from seeing what you’re doing, saying, and posting, which can help protect your privacy and give a romance scammer less information to exploit.
2. Say "no" to strangers bearing friend requests
Be critical of the invitations you receive, online dating tips safety. Out-and-out strangers could be more than a romance scammer, they could be a fake account designed to gather information on users for purposes of cybercrime, or they can be an account designed to spread false information. There are plenty of them too.
3. Protect yourself and your devices
Security software, such as McAfee Total Protection, can protect you from clicking on malicious links that a scammer may send you online, while also steering you clear of other threats like viruses, ransomware, and phishing attacks in general. It can look out for your personal information as well, by protecting your privacy and monitoring your email, SSN, bank accounts, credit cards, and other info that a scammer or identity thief may put to use.
Find more online protection tools in our roundup of the best anti-malware apps.
Related pages on SafeWise
Written by
Rebecca Edwards
Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home online dating tips safety community safety for the past eight, online dating tips safety. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over crime reports and spotting trends. Her safety expertise is sought after by publications, broadcast journalists, non-profit organizations, podcasts, and more. You can find her expert advice and analysis in places like TechCrunch, The Washington Online dating tips safety, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, NPR, HGTV, MSN, Reader's Digest, Real Simple, and an ever-growing library of radio and TV clips.
online dating tips safety online dating tips safety Read More
Back To Top
How to Use Online Dating Apps Safely
Over the past several years, the popularity of online dating has skyrocketed compared to where it originally started. In fact, online dating tips safety, dating websites and apps have given single people a convenient new way to connect with people.
But, with the ease of dating websites and apps comes some new issues, particularly in the form of safety. For instance, interacting with strangers online can put you at risk for identity theft, online harassment, stalking, digital dating abuse, catfishing, and other scams. And, if you do decide to meet up "in real life" (IRL) with someone you met on a dating app, you need to ensure your physical safety as well.
To make navigating the online dating scene a little easier and safer, we have compiled a list of important facts about online dating. We also have put together some tips for selecting the best dating app for you as well as included key tips for staying safe in the online dating world.
Facts About Online Dating Apps
Whether you are new to online dating, or you consider yourself a pro, it helps to have a clear understanding of what dating apps offer including how often they are used, how they are viewed by others, online dating tips safety, and even how honest people are when building their profiles. Here is everything you need to know about the online dating industry.
Online Dating Is Growing in Popularity
It's estimated there are 44 million people using dating websites and nearly 27 million people using smartphone dating apps in the United States in 2022. The number online dating tips safety people who use dating websites is estimated to increase to 53 million by 2024.
Online Dating Has Lost Some of Its Stigmas
In 2006, the Online dating tips safety Research Center found that among "internet-using" Americans, 11% reported having gone on a dating site. In 2020, Pew reported that 30% of American adults reported having used a dating site or app.
The number of people in the United States who are willing to try online dating has increased, and overall, people believe that online dating is safer.
Another 2006 study from Pew Research Center reported that 66% of internet users agreed that online dating is unsafe. But more recent research shows that this number decreased; a 2020 study shows that 46% of people felt online dating is unsafe.
People Can Be Dishonest When Using Dating Apps
To some, it probably comes as no surprise that people may lie when using dating websites and apps.
However, one study reported that most incidents of lying on an online dating site were minor when compared to more extreme types of lies like catfishing.
For instance, heterosexual people tended to make minor exaggerations in an attempt to seem more attractive to the opposite sex. Men tended to say they were a few inches taller than they actually were, and women tended to say they were a few pounds lighter than they actually were.
Are There Times It's Okay To Lie?
People Use Dating Apps for Different Reasons
While some people think dating apps are only for "hook ups," research shows that the reasons people use dating apps vary. One study found that these reasons tend to fall into six different categories:
This same study found that women tended to use Tinder more for building friendships and self-validation, and men tended to use it more to find sexual and/or romantic partners.
People may use a specific app based on the type of relationship they're looking for. One study notes that people who wanted casual relationships reported using Tinder more often, and those who wanted more serious relationships reported using OkCupid more often.
You might consider using an app that thoughtfully matches you with another person if you're looking for a more serious relationship, versus an app that focuses more on photos. For instance, Plenty of Fish matches people based on behavioral patterns and even provides a compatibility score.
Dating Apps Don't Inhibit Love, Study Finds
Online Relationships May Last Longer
One study found that marriages where couples had first met online were linked with higher rates of marital satisfaction and lower rates of breaking up compared with marriages that began in more "traditional" ways, online dating tips safety, like meeting through mutual friends.
Of course, you're not guaranteed to have a longer-lasting relationship if you meet your partner online. But studies like the above do suggest that online dating websites and apps may offer an advantage over meeting someone in person.
With online dating, you can often get a better understanding of what someone is looking for upfront, as opposed to meeting someone in person who doesn't intend on starting a serious relationship.
With dating websites and apps, you can learn about female easy dating site without payment online dating tips safety and interests even before meeting them—this may help you meet people who are more compatible with you.
Online Dating Can Be Dehumanizing
Some people treat online dating like shopping. They swipe through photos looking for the perfect mate, often dismissing someone more quickly than they would have had they first met the person face-to-face.
Consequently, online dating can have a negative effect on self-esteem, whether someone is pursuing people who don't reciprocate or they are not getting as many matches as they hoped they would.
For this reason, it's important to use dating websites and apps mindfully. Make sure you don't spend too much time per day on the app, work on your self-confidence outside of dating, and have patience throughout the process of finding a partner.
Choosing the Best Dating App for You
When it comes to selecting the best online dating app for you, reading reviews and comparing apps can get confusing, especially when the features and options vary widely and are constantly changing as developers modify dating websites and apps.
With more than 7,500 dating apps worldwide, there is a lot to choose from. But, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Follow these few simple steps to help you find the best app for you.
Review the Safety Features
Online dating can be a risky endeavor because there are so many unknowns. Consequently, you want to be sure that the app you select has some built-in safety features. Ideally, the app will promote its safety guidelines on the sign-up page. But if they do not, or if the safety guidelines are particularly hard to find, you may want to find a different app.
For instance, Tinder has a photo verification feature that offers people the opportunity to take a photo in real-time of themselves, and Tinder matches this photo with the person's profile to prevent catfishing. A blue checkmark appears on the profiles of those who are photo verified.
Check Out the Reporting and Blocking Features
When online dating, you may come across people that you feel are behaving inappropriately online dating tips safety who are just plain toxic. If this happens, you want to be able to report their behavior as well as block them from contacting you.
It is important to know upfront about how the safety features of the dating website or app. If there are no ways to report inappropriate messages or block people from contacting you, you may decide to avoid using a service altogether.
Most dating apps, like Hinge, allow you to report suspicious or online dating tips safety messages from other people, online dating tips safety. Hinge, like other dating apps, online dating tips safety, has a mission statement supporting respect for other people on the app and a "zero-tolerance" policy for discrimination, threats, or harassment.
Dating sites like Match.com and EHarmony also provide tips for using their services, online dating tips safety, like advising against giving out personal information—such as your social security number or your home address—and to be wary of anyone asking for financial help.
Determine the Level of Visibility the App Provides
When reviewing an app, check to see if you are able to control the visibility of your profile. Ideally, you want an app that allows more options to secure your profile. The fewer options you have, the more exposed your information is on the Internet.
For instance, Hinge offers several options for people to control who they see and who sees them. Just remember, the more options an app provides in this area, the better.
Avoid Sites and Apps That Allow Messaging Prior to Matching
No one likes receiving unwanted photos or creepy messages, which certainly is a possibility within dating apps, online dating tips safety. As a result, it is best to select an app that requires both people to have an interest before messaging can take place. This way, you can reduce the number of unwanted messages you get and limit it to only the people you want to be communicating with.
Pay Attention to the Geography Settings
Many online dating apps use your location as a way of allowing you to find possible matches. However, make sure the app allows you to have some control over this setting. It is never a good idea to have an app that allows complete strangers to pinpoint where you are or even find your specific neighborhood.
Look for Free Trials and Free Versions
Most dating apps have both a free version and a paid version. As a result, you might not want to pay for a membership before you even know if you like the app or if it will be useful. And having the free version is not going to keep you from meeting new people.
When you are first starting out, it can be a lot more beneficial to try several different apps to see what works rather than purchasing the premium membership before you have even taken it for a test drive. Plus, dating apps can get expensive if online dating tips safety are paying $10 to $25 a month for the service.
Reconsider Apps That Link to Social Media
Most dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge allow people to share data from their social media profiles. This is mostly harmless, but be aware of how much informaton is revealed on your dating profile as a result.
Remember, you do not know online dating tips safety people on the dating app. Giving them access to your social media profile—which could include where you spend time and/or photos of your family—could be risky, especially if you are a single parent.
You also want to keep where you went to school and even your employer private. Making this information available means that even after you have blocked people through the app, they still could still find you and harass you through social media.
Staying Safe While Using Dating Apps
While you are never to blame if someone behaves in a predatory or disrespectful way toward you in the online dating world, there are things you can do to stay safe. Here are some useful safety tips you can put into practice right away to help you be more mindful.
Use person in custody over campus dating violence Unique Photo
When developing your dating profile, avoid using the same photo that you have on your social media accounts. If you use the same photo as your Facebook photo or your Instagram page, it is really easy for someone to do a reverse image search with Google. As a result, if you are using the same photo on all your accounts, it is much easier for someone to find you on social media.
Leave Out the Personal Details
How early in dating to say beauty developing your online dating profile, make sure you do not include your last name, contact information, nicknames, online dating tips safety, or social media handles. You want to keep the personal details to a minimum. After all, if you come across someone you don't trust, you don't want them having too much information about you.
You may even want to tighten the security on your social media accounts to add another layer of protection. For instance, on Facebook, you might adjust your settings so your page is private and is only able to be viewed by "friends," not "friends of friends."
Stay Inside the App
When you are messaging with a potential date, or even after a few dates, it is best to message one another inside the app. Although this might be inconvenient, if something doesn't work out, you do not have to worry about the fact that the person has your cell number.
What's more, staying inside the app provides you with an extra layer of protection. Some messaging systems with dating apps do not allow people to send photos or links, which can really reduce the number of unwanted photos you get.
Set Up a Google Phone Number
Eventually, you will want to talk with someone on the phone, online dating tips safety, either after you have met or beforehand. But instead of giving out your cell number, consider getting a Google phone number and forwarding it to your phone.
It is pretty easy to set up. Once you log in to Google Voice, you simply choose your area code and select an available number. The instructions on the rest of the set-up process are pretty simple to follow.
Take Precautions When Meeting IRL
Avoid letting someone know exactly where you live. Instead, arrange to meet in a public place and provide your own transportation. You also should let a close friend know where you will be and when you will be home. You want your friends to know as much information as possible should something go wrong.
Once on your date, be sure you stay aware and alert. Do not leave your drink unattended and keep the first few dates short. You may even want to bring a self-defense tool with you such as pepper spray or a high-powered flashlight.
And, if the person you are meeting is making you uncomfortable or scared, enlist the help of a friend in leaving the situation. Remember, you should never feel bad about putting your safety first. Even if you have to do something rude to escape a situation, you need to make sure you are safe.
Tips to Help You Date More Mindfully
Frequently Asked Questions
Dating apps can work to connect you with potential partners, online dating tips safety. Studies show more and more people are meeting their romantic partners online every year. If you are looking to meet your partner online, know that it is very possible.
It's estimated that nearly 27 million people are using smartphone dating apps in the United States.
There are many free online dating apps that have security features in place designed to protect the people who use them, such as Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder. There are also ways you can ensure your own safety such as not giving out personal information and limiting social media exposure.
Thanks for your feedback!
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Statistica. Online dating in the Hily dating app ad States—Statistics and facts.
Pew Research Center. Online dating.
Pew Research Center. 10 facts about Americans and online dating.
Pew Research Center. Romance blossoms on the internet, but there is still public concern about the safety of online dating.
Sharabi LL, Caughlin JP. Deception in online dating: Significance and implications for the first offline date. New Media & Society. 2018;21(1):229-247. doi:10.1177/1461444818792425
Barrada JR, Castro Á. Tinder users: Sociodemographic, psychological, online dating tips safety psychosexual characteristics. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(21):8047. doi:10.3390/ijerph17218047
Chin K, online dating tips safety, Edelstein RS, Vernon PA. Attached to dating apps: Attachment orientations and preferences for dating apps. Mobile Media & Communication. 2018;7(1):41-59. doi:10.1177/2050157918770696
Cacioppo JT, online dating tips safety, Cacioppo S, Gonzaga GC, Ogburn EL, VanderWeele TJ, online dating tips safety. Marital satisfaction and break-ups differ across on-line and off-line meeting venues. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2013;110(25):10135-10140. doi:10.1073/pnas.1222447110
Holtzhausen, N., Fitzgerald, K., Thakur, I. et al.Swipe-based dating applications use and its association with mental health outcomes: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychol 2020;8:22. doi:10.1186/s40359-020-0373-1
5 Facts About Online Dating. Pew Research Center.
Finkel EJ, Eastwick PW, Karney BR, Reis HT, Sprecher S. Online dating. Psychol Sci Public Interest. 2012;13(1):3-66. doi:10.1177/1529100612436522
Paul A. Is online better than offline for meeting partners? Depends: Are you looking to marry or to date? Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 2014;17(10):664-667, online dating tips safety. doi:10.1089/cyber.2014.0302
The personal data you provide dating apps (Scorpio! Dog lover!) feeds an algorithm that suggests matches. Though most companies won’t admit to sharing it with third parties … it happens. A 2020 study found that Match Group, which owns Tinder, spilled users’ political views, and in 2018, Grindr admitted to sharing its patrons’ HIV status.
We know you won’t quit on love, so here are a few tips, courtesy of Jo O’Reilly, deputy editor at ProPrivacy, to keep your private life just that.
Don't Online dating tips safety Identifying Information
Leave your full name, your birthday, and your place of work off your dating profile. Instead, use your first name or a nickname.
Don't Link Your Profile to Your Instagram
Keep your dating profile and your personal social-media accounts separate. You likely have more personal information on those accounts that can be used by hackers or scammers.
Don't Rush to Move Off the App
Take your time before switching to a private messaging platform like WhatsApp. Scammers want you to move to an encrypted messenger where their behavior cannot be easily monitored.
Keep Specific Details Secret
Don’t share personal details, like your pet’s name or your high school, on your public profile. This information makes it easier for hackers to guess your passwords; they can also use the info to send you phishing emails.
Limit Your Use of Location Settings
Turn off the app’s location settings, or use them sparingly. It’s better to cast a wider net than to allow strangers to pinpoint the neighborhood you live or work in.
This story originally appeared in the Fall 2020 issue of Marie Claire.
subscribe here
-
-
-