Let’s Get Personal: How to Be and Stay Safe While Online Dating February 6, 2023

Life as we know it is constantly changing and evolving, and with that change comes technology, in both the good and the not-so-good sense. As the prevalence of technology grows, it's becoming more important to understand the proper use and understanding of that technology.

With that new technology, comes new ways of developing connections and relationships, online dating being one of them. We all know someone who’s gone on a date, or has been on one, and it’s nice to be able to just do things through the internet. But there are risks involved when you're meeting someone online. If you're not careful, they could be dangerous--or even worse: they could be someone who has malicious intentions towards you.

This is why it’s so crucial to have your personal safety in mind at all times. Here we cover a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to online dating.

1. Let your friends and family know if you've met someone online. #

The internet is a great place to find new friends and connections, but it's also easy to get lost in the shuffle of online dating, which is why it's important to have someone there with you who can help if things go wrong. If possible, have them meet with you too.

Whenever you’re meeting someone new, let your closest friends or family members know who you’re meeting up with, when, and where. Things can take a bad turn in a blink of an eye, therefore having someone close to you be aware of your whereabouts is key for your safety.

2. Share your location carefully, and make sure it’s accurate. #

Following the previous point, the prevail for your personal safety– always share your Uber/Lyft/taxi ride details with your loved ones, including current or even live location with them through a secure app, and good news! HelpYouFind.Me is just right for this.

On HelpYouFind.Me you can easily and securely share personal information with your loved ones, resting easy knowing no one else other than those you allow, would have access to this information, including your if I go missing file, services’ and accounts’ passwords, photos, current location, and important files like digital copies of your insurance, wills, medical records and more.

With our HYF.M Telegram Bot Integration securely sharing your location is as easy as texting a friend, just safer and more efficient as you can simultaneously let all of your loved ones be aware under your own rules.

Ready to dive in? Start your free trial today.

Sign up for free

3. Meet in public places. #

Always meet in public places such as coffee shops or restaurants, at first, and let friends know where you’re going to be and when you expect to return home safely.

Don’t let your online date know the real address of your home. If they come over, have them come to your place or ask a friend or family member who lives near where you live if they can host your date at their place.

4. Use caution when sharing personal identifiable information with someone you don't know. #

Personal identifiable information includes things like your full name, address, phone number, birth date, and social security number. Sharing this information on a dating site could open you up to identity theft and other types of fraud if that information falls into the wrong hands. It also could result in unwanted contact from strangers or people you don't know well enough to trust with this kind of information.

5. Don’t be afraid to report someone. #

When you’re dating online, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that no one will find out. But we all have a friend who got too drunk at a party, or had some crazy story about their last partner.

And if you’ve ever been treated poorly by someone you met through an app or website, chances are good that other people have shared the same experience— and they probably won’t hesitate to tell you about it.

So don’t be afraid to report someone if they make you feel unsafe, for your own peace of mind and safety, and for others’.

Takeaway #

The internet is a wonderful place with many useful resources, but it's also important to be careful when you're online, especially when it comes to online dating. Risks are always present, and you should never ignore those risks.

So if you’re an online dater, don’t be afraid to use these tips to stay safe and have fun at the same time. If you aren’t comfortable with online dating, then there’s no shame in passing on it all! But if you are or have been interested in trying it out, we’d still advise that you are cautious and know exactly how much information you want to reveal at any given time. Be smart, be safe, and most importantly: have fun!

Written by

Adriana Lopez