Online Dating has gained popularity all over the world because it is an instant and low effort way to flirt and meet new people.

Some of the well known dating apps include, Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, eHarmony, Tagged, Match.com and Badoo. These dating apps usually have their safety precautions but these precautions cannot fully protect you from the risks that come with meeting with people you’ve interacted with using the dating apps. Some of the precautions in these dating apps include;

• Requiring a background check before someone can create a profile.
• Having terms and conditions that affirms that the users have not been convicted of sexual related crimes before.
• Offering a verification process that reassures users that people are using images that match what they look like.
• Having language in their terms that bans harassment and hate speech.
• Blocking reported email addresses and phone numbers across all dating sites.

Although these precautions may help keep safety, it is however important to note that you are responsible for your interactions on these dating sites.

Safe dating should always be a priority since there is always some risks involved when meeting someone you met online, for the first time. Some of the risks of online dating include;

• Romance Scams

Romance scammers may ask for money as a way to prove your love for them. They express their love quickly and ask a lot of questions without revealing much about themselves.

• Sexual Abuse

This is any form of sexual contact that you do not agree with or have not given consent to. It is important to note that the person who commits any kind of sexual Abuse is always responsible for it even if you have done something that made you vulnerable to the assault.

• Sextortion

This is a form of cyber bullying. This is when someone uses your intimate or nude picture without your consent, then uses it to blackmail you into doing their will. They may manipulate you into giving them money so that they may not expose your pictures.

• Stalking

This is unwanted behavior carried out by someone who is fixated or obsessed with you. It involves sending unwanted frightening emails or text messages over and over without caring even for the reply you get. A stalker may also use technology such as GPS to track your location and appear to you without invitation or just follow you around without your knowledge.

• Online Dating Fraud

These include catfishing and identity theft. It is when someone creates a fake online profile to lure people in. They may use identities of real, trusted or well-known people or just a fictional name. I have seen this in a tv show I have watched called Fake Profile. You should watch it too.

How To Stay Safe While Online Dating

1. Use a Trustworthy Site

While dating online, you can depend on the larger and reputable dating sites to protect your private information.

Make sure you research about the particular dating app you use because most of the dating apps require a membership fee (to enjoy quality services) and so you might end up paying for a site only to later find out it was a scam.

2. Meet Publicly

When going to meet someone you’ve met online, make sure  you pick a place where there are a lot of people around and make sure there is phone signal.

It is also important not to invite your date to your home on your first date.  Maybe in the second or third date or when you feel you’ve gotten to know the person better.

3. Tell Someone Where You Are Going

When going to meet someone you’ve met online, make sure you inform a trusted friend or a family member where you are going.

You could also send them a picture of whom you are going to meet so that if anything goes wrong, at least there is someone who can report to the authorities.

You could also share with them a live location or give them access to apps that can share your location (e.g Find My Friends or iOS) so that they can follow up on your whereabouts.

4. Stay Sober

Drugs and substances can impair your judgement and alertness. Try as much as you can to stay sober or if you take alcohol, don’t get too drunk so that you can have clear judgement of your date’s events.

If your date tries to make you use drugs or drink more than you are comfortable with, end the date and  go home.

5. Be Cautious About Sharing Your Personal Information

Complaints of romance Scams have risen in the past few years. Never share your personal information such as your home or work addresses with people you’ve met online.

If you have kids, avoid sharing information about them on the online dating platforms. If malicious people finds out your kids name or where they for example, go to school, they may use that information to kidnap your child and later blackmail you into giving them money in exchange for your child.

6. Utilize Power of Reverse Image Search

While using dating apps, make sure you use photos that you haven’t used in other social media platforms.

If you use your same profile picture from other accounts, a stranger could perform an image search online and find you on other social media platforms  hence getting access to your personal profiles and information.

7. You have the power and right to say NO

If you feel uncomfortable or are simply  bored during your date with someone you’ve met online, you can always walk away or end the date.

While using the app you have the power and right to cut off suspicious people you’ve matched with. If someone asks for nude photos of you, you have the right to say no or just unmatch and block them if you’re not comfortable with them.

8. Report any suspicious behavior to the app administration

If someone you don’t know request for money or donation don’t send any money. Report the user to the relevant app’s administration.

Other suspicious activities include harassment, threats,offensive messages, inappropriate behavior during or after meeting in person or someone asks for your nude photographs.

9. Take care of your expenses

This has affected many women over the past few years. When going to meet someone you met online make sure you can get her for all your expenses such as transportation and foods. When someone offers to pick you up instead of meeting at your meeting point, tell them to meet you where you had agreed to meet, so that if the date goes wrong, you can leave whenever you want.

Conclusion

While choosing an online dating platform, check for safety features that can help you date safely. Taking regular breaks from dating sites can help you to maintain your well-being.

You should watch out for suspicious profiles and behavior. Becareful of who you share your contact information with since the online dating apps can only protect you where you are using the app.

Creating a profile in a dating site only to find that no one is interested in you can lower one’s self-esteem hence making you vulnerable to risks associated with online dating.

References

• https://www.unicef.org/end-violence/how-to-stop-cyberbullying
• https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-online-dating-apps/