How to Protect Yourself While Online Dating

The dating scene has changed a lot in the past 26 years, ever since the launch of Match.com in 1994. Online dating has grown to be the new normal, and millennials have led the charge in removing the negative stigma associated with meeting strangers they met through the internet. According to Forbes_[1], there are now over 8,000 unique dating apps and websites that cater to every niche interest you could think of, from FarmersOnly to Bumble’s BFF service, where you can find a new friend in your city.

The ability to carry these sites on smartphones, combined with their (mostly) free services makes them extremely accessible and easy to use. And as more success stories_[2] emerge from this style of dating, more singles are drawn to give it a shot. Statistic Brain_[3] reports that About 17% of modern marriages and 20% of modern relationships begin online.

If you’re thinking about (or currently) diving into the online dating world, we have some suggestions for how to stay safe.

Setting up Your Dating Profile with Privacy in Mind

Your dating profile will be the first impression that mysterious strangers on the other side of the internet will get of you. There can be a lot of pressure to stand out here, whether that means including something witty or a fact about yourself, even detailing what you may be looking for in a partner. It’s very important to remember that this profile can be reached by anyone. Some sites boast anonymity and privacy but in this age of cyber hacking, screenshotting, and sharing, it’s safest to assume that everything you share on your profile will be public knowledge. For this reason, do not include personal information such as your full name, address, birthday, or even your favorite ice cream shop. As you get to know and trust this mysterious stranger, the sensitive information can follow.

Following the same logic, you shouldn’t be posting any pictures that can obviously be tied to any one place. Posing in front of the fountains at your local town square might be alright but posing on your front lawn is much riskier. It’s best to not include other people in these photos as well, especially without their permission. Not only can that be confusing for your potential date, it also exposes the other people in the picture to this online dating world, and potential identity theives, which they may not be comfortable with. If necessary, have a friend take a few solo shots of you that you can use for your profile

If you’re worried about posting your information on a dating site (even if it’s just in setting up your account), we can help you. Our Identity Theft Protection service provides 24/7 monitoring of the dark web and other places where your personal information might come up for sale or be used fraudulently.

Starting a Conversation

The initial adrenaline rush of a mysterious stranger showing their interest is intoxicating; it’s key to keep your perspective here. It can be so easy, especially when you’re just sending written messages, to get excited and prematurely share too much information. It’s hard to truly evaluate someone’s character through these initial texts, you miss out on things like body language, tone of voice, and other qualities that can help you to see past any facades or unsavory personalities.

Keep in mind that not all dating services screen for sex offenders and fraudsters; trust your gut if something doesn’t feel right. If you ever feel like you’re in danger, feel free to contact the dating service. Depending on the situation, they may even advise calling the authorities. Of course, not everyone is out to get you, but this stage of the relationship is not quite the time to let your guard down either. Even when the person on the other end is also interested in dating, they can easily misrepresent themselves. A survey conducted by security software makers Symantec found that lying about everything from age, height, relationship status, and income is extremely common, as Glamour_[4] reports.

Meeting for the First Time

If the conversation is going well and you begin to make plans to meet in person, remain protective of your personal information. Decline their generous offer to carpool, as this gives them total control in where you go and how/when you get home. Instead, you can take your own vehicle or Lyft to a public place.

Do your research! Find your date on social media, see what pops up online when you search their name. There is no shame in being well-informed. On the flip-side, check over your public-facing accounts as if you’re seeing them for the first time. Comb through and delete/make private any information that you aren’t comfortable with sharing quite yet.

If you’re nervous, give your mystery date a call before it’s time to meet (or even better, video chat!). It’s a great way to warm up to the in-person meeting and to get an initial reading on their vocal cues and body language.

Always let at least one person know where you’ll be going and how long you should be there. If plans change, make sure they’re aware. Don’t ever be too embarrassed or shy to skip this step! If anything should go awry, it’s good to have someone on your side who knows the details.

Don’t be afraid of hurting anyone’s feelings. If you ever feel unsafe or even uncomfortable, get yourself out of the situation. If you can, bring pepper spray with you! It truly doesn’t hurt to be prepared for the worst (Guys, this includes you). There’s no need to be paranoid during your date, but it’s smart to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. For this reason, set a limit for your alcohol intake.

First dates can be a little scary, even when you’ve met your date before. But as long as you’ve prepared and feel comfortable, you can feel empowered to have fun and be yourself

2nd Date and Beyond

As this new relationship grows and you begin to build trust, keep an eye out for any red flags. Make sure you don’t give away any important details before you’re ready and continue to listen to your gut if you ever have a weird feeling. Have fun meeting new people and as always, keep yourself and the things you care about well-protected!

ADT customers enjoy the services mentioned above, backed by professional installation and 24/7 monitoring. If you’d like to learn more, visit our website and find the protection you need!

Sources:

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/martinzwilling/2013/03/01/how-many-more-online-dating-sites-do-we-need/#19fb61778824

[2] https://www.datingadvice.com/online-dating/online-dating-marriage-success

[3] https://www.statisticbrain.com/online-dating-statistics/

[4] https://www.glamour.com/story/online-dating-what-men-and-wom

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