Navigating Online Dating Safety: A Quick and Easy Guide
Navigating online dating safety can be a reak challenge for many of us. Dating has completely changed the rules of the game for women meeting and looking for a significant other. I can personally attest to this: nearly ten years ago, following my divorce, I faced the daunting challenge of navigating the new world of online dating apps, and learned to realise the risks it can impose for women in the same situation I was in. Fast forward a few of years, and I met my beautiful wife the old-fashioned way, while walking our dogs. (Yes, there is a long and beautiful story behind that, which I shall save for another time.) While online dating has undoubtedly opened possibilities for meaningful relationships, there are indeed dangers associated with it. For all its swipe-left-and-right ease, it requires a good deal of caution and consideration for safety. Ensuring your personal safety, first online and then offline, is important. This article outlines essential strategies to protect yourself and make informed decisions during your online dating journey, because where safety is concerned, there can be no compromise. Online Dating Platforms That Take Safety Seriously The first step to safe online dating is choosing the right platform. I encourage you to use reputable dating apps or websites that put user safety first through various systems such as: Strong Privacy Controls: The dating app or site should have strong privacy settings that allow you to control who sees your dating profile and personal details. Identity Confirmation: This could include photo verification, which significantly reduces the likelihood of encountering a fake profile, reverse image search to identify visually similar images from across the web, or checks using government-issued ID. The wisest idea is to use completely different photos for a dating profile. It’s not difficult to perform a reverse image search on Google. If your dating profile includes a photo that can also be found on your Instagram or Facebook account, it will be far easier for someone to locate you on social media. Secure Communication Tools: Utilise tools like Google Voice to keep your phone number private and avoid sharing personal information too soon. Google Voice is a free service that provides you with a secondary phone number. You can use this number to send and receive calls and texts, keeping your real number private. This adds an extra layer of security and helps maintain your privacy until you feel confident about sharing more personal information. Private Mode: Apps that have private modes enable you to browse dating profiles without the other party knowing. This provides extra privacy. Blocking and Reporting: The ability to block and report users is essential for maintaining a safe online environment. It empowers individuals to take immediate action against inappropriate, abusive, or threatening behaviour, ensuring that offenders can be removed or flagged for further review. It is advisable not to make your profile too personal. Avoid sharing your full name, address, or precise workplace (be a bit more vague), or any other details that could easily compromise your privacy. Instead, focus on general interests or hobbies to create an appealing yet safe account. Conducting a Background Check Before you ever agree to meet in person, do a little research to verify the person is who they say they are. A simple online search on social media can often reveal inconsistencies between what they have shared and what is online. Take the name they have provided, perhaps combined with the city they say they live in, and check on Facebook, Instagram, or even LinkedIn. Alternatively, do a Google search and see what you can find. Most of us have a digital footprint, whether we like it or not. In addition, a reverse image search can let you know if the profile photos are theirs or stolen from elsewhere. While it’s not ideal to draw conclusions solely from what you might find online, this step can help you decide if a potential red flag is present. If something doesn’t add up, proceed with caution, put additional safety measures in place before any in-person meeting, or cease communication altogether. Safety within Online Communications When communicating initially, stick to your boundaries and use the in-app messaging system. Don’t give out your phone number or email address unless you feel comfortable and you have learned to trust the person. Watch out for manipulative warning signs, such as delving too quickly into very personal details, or love-bombing, smothering you with affection or excessive compliments in an attempt to fast-track your trust. Also, if someone reacts negatively to you saying ‘no’, this in itself suggests motives that are less than positive, ranging from scams to unhealthy dynamics. Consider setting up a video call with your match before ever meeting them in person. It’s a great way to verify that they are who they claim to be on their profile. If a person strongly resists a video call, that’s suspicious behaviour. Meeting in a Public Place When you plan to meet anyone in person, do so in a busy public location with plenty of lighting. Let a friend or family member know where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you are meeting. By sharing as much information as possible (you could even take a pic of your acquaintance’s car registration plate and send it to our trusted contact), someone will know where to look for you should something happen. Location Sharing These days, with advances in technology, you can share your location in real time on WhatsApp, Find My Friends, or Google Maps. You can allow someone you trust to locate you during the date. This is simply a vital tool for online dating safety. Send an update when you arrive and leave the venue. This simple step keeps your loved ones informed and ensures someone can take action if needed. There are many personal safety apps worth considering. I’m unable to recommend a specific one, as most are tailored to function in certain countries