Avoiding Dangers in Modern Dating
The Push Towards Online Dating
Young people are turning to online dating in large numbers. As society becomes more and more atomized, traditional methods of meeting people to date are becoming scarcer. Dating online is not only easier for most people, but is easier to work into their busy schedules of school and work. If done the right way, online dating can be safe and rewarding. But participants need to be smart, make sure they know who they are talking to online, and follow some common-sense rules for protecting themselves.
Always Meet in a Public Place
When meeting someone for the first time, it’s crucial to meet in a public place. Never agree to meet someone in their home or someone else’s house. That also means that you should never have your date pick you up from your home. You don’t want a stranger knowing where you live. Instead, opt for someplace where lots of people are around; it could be a movie, a restaurant, or a bar.
Tell Your Friends What You’re Doing
If you are going to be going on a first date with someone new, you’ll want to make sure that you’re keeping at least one person you know in the loop. Tell a friend where you’re going, the name of the guy you’re going with, and what his name is. Also, make sure that your friend knows to have their phone on them at all times. That way you can make a plan to call them in case your date doesn’t turn out to be who they say they are. If you’re heading to a bar, a good idea is also to loop in the bartender to make sure that they’re aware you’re on an online date with someone new. That way they can help to keep an eye on things.
Make Sure You Vet the Person First
Before you even get to the point of going on an online date, you need to vet the person you’re talking to. You need to make sure the person you’re talking to is exactly who they say there are. To do this, check their social media sites. See if the name matches up. Also, make sure they have an abundance of pictures and friends. Those are signs that they are in fact a real person. Lots of online dating sites now sync up to people’s social media accounts. This is a great way to see if you have any mutual friends with someone. If you do, you can ask them what their thoughts are on your potential date. You can never be too careful with all of the scammers that are out there, and that’s why it’s careful to cover all bases.
Avoiding Scammers on Dating Sites
Dating scammers are everywhere. You will find them on almost every single dating website. There are a few things to look out for when you first start talking to someone. You should avoid someone who asks you any of the following information:
- Personal details such as where you live and work
- Any information related to your bank account
- Your full name and other identifying info
If someone asks this information right off the bat, then it’s a pretty good indication that they’re up to no good. One sign of a scammer is anyone who tells you that you can make money by giving them your bank account information. Also, avoid anyone who asks for any payment for services primarily in the form of iTunes gift cards. These people often prey on the vulnerable, so spotting them early is essential to avoiding a dating disaster.
If It’s Too Good to be True, It Probably Is
Unfortunately, these scammers are sometimes pretty good at what they do. If someone has pictures that seem photoshopped or seem to resemble models, there’s a good chance they’re fake. Look for people who have lots of different images in lots of different poses. You want someone who has pictures with friends doing various activities. The profile pictures of scammers will often look outdated, or like they were cut straight from a magazine. If you want to make sure someone’s pictures are accurate, you can do a Google image drop. By searching for an image on Google, you’ll be able to see whether or not that picture has been used in any publication before.
Before Meeting Someone, Make Sure They’re Real
There are a few steps you can take to make sure that someone is real before you meet them. Instead of going right from chatting online to meeting face-to-face, take gradual steps. After chatting online, see if they’ll talk on the phone. Look for thick accents that don’t match up with their photographs. After chatting on the phone, see if you can FaceTime. FaceTime can be done either on the phone, through social media, or through an app. That way you can see if someone is who they say they are before you meet them.
Choose an Online Dating App That Prides Itself on Safety
Finally, choose an online dating app that is proven to be safe. Since the online dating industry is growing every day, new apps are being created. You’ll want to choose something that is already established and has good reviews. Choose an app that has a 24/7 helpline. You’ll want to make sure that there are people you can chat with in case you have any problems. An app should always have a support staff that is ready to listen to concerns. That helps to rid the apps of scammers by dealing with them right away and keeping people safe.
Stay Safe and Have Fun
Online dating can be very safe. Many people meet friends, girlfriends and boyfriends, and even future spouses. You need to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and making smart choices. Never give out personal information, never meet someone in private, and always try to vet who you’re talking with. That’s how you stay safe and have fun while online dating.
Reference Section:
Romance On The Internet – Beware The Dating Scammers | Psychic2Tarot.com
Have Dating Apps Killed Romance? | wnyc.org