Is Online Dating Safe?

Are dating apps safe or dangerous?

Most of the time, I get asked whether online dating is safe. The answer is “yes”.

I think 98% of the men who date on-line have good intentions. You should be on the lookout for the other 2%.

Online dating is my favorite. Dating apps can be a great way to find people you would never otherwise meet. It’s still important to always be careful and put your safety first.

Here are 14 tips to help you stay safe while dating online.

Online dating safety:

1. Consider using “Delete Me” to remove yourself from Google:
You can Google yourself to check if you have any personal information online. There is a service that removes your private and personal information from the Internet. It’s called “Delete me”. It can be expensive, but some people think it’s worth it to remove their personal information from the internet.

2. When you are dating online, it is possible to misspell your name or change the spelling.
Google is often used to find out who you’re speaking to online. It’s easy for someone to discover who you are, and where you live.

If you are dating online, I recommend changing your spelling or using a new name.

If your name is Erica then you should spell it “Erika” with a capital “K”. If your name is Lyndsay then you might consider using the nickname Lyn.

It will be harder to identify you. You should wait until you are comfortable sharing your real name.

3. Google Voice Phone Number:
Get a Google Voice number instead of sharing your actual number. You can wait to share it later.

Google Voice is a free app that lets you text and call from your phone, without anyone knowing your real number. Block a man who is creepy or annoying.

Google Voice is an excellent service which I recommend and use.

4. Take a screen shot of the men’s profiles on online dating sites:
Take screenshots of the online dating profile, and send them to a family member or friend before you meet.

You’ll be able to identify a person if something goes wrong with the help of photos and information.

A screenshot will help you in the event of a problem.

5. Check-in with a family member or friend before you go online:
Be sure to let a family member or friend know who you are meeting and where you will be going. Arrange a time to check in after your date, so that they can be sure you arrived home safely.

6. When you meet men on the internet, do a background check.
Anyone can use Been Verified, a background check service at an affordable price.

You can use it to check if a person has a criminal history, a DWI or has been bankrupt. I would highly recommend Been Verified, or a service similar.

A background check DOES NOT mean that a man will be safe to meet. It is still a good idea to do so.

7. Reverse image search their online dating profiles:
Google Image Searches are a great way to find out more about someone you have met online. Images searches aren’t always successful, but it’s worth trying. You can run a background search if you are able to identify someone.

8. Search for reverse phone numbers:
Been Verified can be used to perform a reverse number search when a man provides you with his phone number. It doesn’t work all the time, but you should give it a shot.

Recently, one of my clients did a reverse search to avoid meeting a man who had a conviction for assault and battery!

9. Get an email address for online dating.
It’s best to keep a separate email account for dating if a man wants to connect with you via email.

In most email addresses, your name or company’s information is included in the email signature or email address.

To share, I would suggest using a Gmail account that is not identifiable.

My “super secret dating emails” was what I called mine. Once I got to know someone, I would give him my regular email.

10. Uber is a great option for your date.
A man once offered to take me home after dinner. He made me feel uncomfortable, so I declined. It was a Barnes & Noble that closed at 11:00 PM nearby, so I said I had to go shopping. What if there wasn’t a nearby store?

Consider taking Uber to your date and back.

11. For your first two dates, meet in a public area:
Please decline if a man invites you to dinner or suggests a hike (insert eyeroll here).

The men don’t feel the same level of concern for their safety as we do, and they don’t always understand how uncomfortable it is to hear our suggestions.

If you want to be safe, make sure that you meet your date in a public area. Do not go off the beaten track or meet them at home. Thank him but politely decline if a man offers you a ride or cooks dinner for you at his house.

You can invite him to your home or take him on a hike in the woods when you feel more comfortable. Please wait until you are comfortable. Always be cautious.

12. Do not accept requests for social media until you have a good understanding of the person.
Facebook, Instagram and TikTok all share a lot of information about you. Please consider setting your accounts to private or curating your content.

Accepting a friend request from someone who you just met on Facebook is a bad idea. You should know the man before you give him access to all your posts. If he asks to be your friend too soon, click “decline”.

13. Advocacy for yourself is important:
Tell him right away if someone makes you uncomfortable during a date. Ask him to stop. Stop ignoring your discomfort.

Men can sometimes be overly touchy when they are into you. Tell him to stop if something feels wrong. A good guy will comply immediately and may even apologize.

A man is a slob if he takes offense at you when you defend yourself. If this happens, you should end the date right away.

14. Leave on instinct and trust your gut:
If you feel unsafe, leave.

Ask someone to help you exit the restaurant or bar.

Trust your gut instinct and never stay in an unsafe situation.

Women are taught to be “nice” by their mothers. Screw nice. You don’t have to be nice if you don’t trust someone when you meet them online. Do whatever you can to keep yourself safe.

To end this article, I would like to put things in perspective.

I have dated online without incident for many years. I am a dating coach and, as far as I’m aware, none of my clients has ever been in a dangerous situation.

The majority of men are honest and good-hearted guys who are looking for love.

Please use these tips to help you stay safe while dating online.

Have fun! It’s also important to have fun!