Safe Dating Advice

Online dating is no more dangerous than meeting someone in a bar, or a nightclub, but it is still a good idea to be vigilant online and when you meet up with your date. Here are some tips for staying safe online and offline.

Tips for staying safe online

Choose a reputable dating website

Ask friends and family about their experiences of using dating websites and try to find one that has a good reputation. The Online Dating Association website is a good place to look for information about dating websites.

Don’t give away your contact details

Lots of people try to sneak their phone number, or email address into their dating profile text so that they can avoid paying for a dating website. However, this is not a good idea as anyone will be able to get in contact with you without your permission. If you choose to keep your details private and to use the website’s messaging service, you will be able to choose who can contact you and will be able to block anyone whom you don’t like.

Be wary

Be cautious of anyone who tries to take the conversation offline as soon as possible as they may be trying to lead you away from the safety of the website. Also, it may seem obvious to most people, but never send money to someone before meeting with them as it is likely to be a scam.

Staying safe on a first date

Meet in a public place

Never accept a lift from your date until you know them well and make sure that when you do first see each other, that it is in a busy public place like a coffee shop, or a restaurant.

Tell a friend

Let a friend know where you are going and what time you expect to be back. You can inform them if you plan to stay later and let them know that you have got home safely. They’ll probably want to catch up with you about how your date went too.

Plan your route home

Make sure that you have a mode of transport in place to make sure that you don’t need to accept a lift home. For example, if you are taking the bus, make sure that you know when the last bus goes, so that you don’t miss it. Also, it is a good idea to have a taxi number as well and a well-charged phone battery.