Since the first dating site was launched in the 1990s, the popularity of online dating has skyrocketed, and today it is considered normal all over the world. Millions of people use dating sites to find romance and friends. However, the opportunity to find your soulmate comes with risks, such as online scams or unwanted threatening behavior from other users. To communicate on dating apps safely, it is important to know the potential dangers and how to avoid them.

There are a number of warning signs to watch for when communicating with other users. You might become suspicious if your new online acquaintance:

- Asks you for financial help, possibly claiming he or she is in a difficult situation.

- Claims to live in your country, but is currently working or traveling abroad, so cannot meet you in the near future.

- Tells you that he or she has recently been widowed and left with children

- Disappears from the dating site and then reappears under a different name.

- Always gives vague answers to your questions.

- Showers you with compliments and talks about romantic feelings at the very beginning of your conversation.

- Tries to leave the dating site as soon as possible and continue the conversation on another app, like WhatsApp.

- Tries to find out your home or work address, perhaps under the pretext of sending a gift or flowers.

-Provides contradictory information about themselves or tells melodramatic stories.

-Uses incoherent language or poor grammar when communicating.

12 Online Dating Safety Tips

1. Use a Unique Photo

Avoid using photos on your dating profile that you have already shared on your social media accounts. It is easy to search by image in Google, and if you use the same photos on your dating profile as you do on Facebook and Instagram, you will be found on social media. Scammers can then start gathering more information about you. Also, do not use pictures that reveal where you live or work. This information can be used in social engineering schemes, like someone pretending they have seen you at your office to gain your trust.

2. Keep personal information private

In addition to using unique profile photos, minimize the amount of personal information provided, such information as your last name, contact information, date of birth, place of work, place of study, social network addresses, and other data. This makes it harder for scammers to guess your passwords or send you phishing emails. Stick to using just your first name or a nickname.

3. Do not link social media profiles

We do not recommended to link a dating profile to personal social network accounts. Most likely, these accounts contain more personal information that could be exploited by scammers or hackers.

4. Chat on a dating app

When chatting and messaging new people, it’s best to keep your messages on a dating app. Scammers often want to move communications to encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp because it’s harder to track their behavior. Chatting on a dating app provides extra security because some apps don’t allow you to send links in messages, and most apps also have blocking and reporting features. And if things don’t work out, you don’t have to worry about the person having your phone number.

5. Use trusted dating sites

There are thousands of dating apps available around the world, but not all offer the same level of quality or security. Often, larger, more well-known sites offer better privacy and online dating security. When you are done using a dating app, delete your profile.

6. Don’t be afraid to report abusive users

The safest dating apps encourage users to report aggressive or illegal behavior. These apps usually include the option to block a user if their behavior is making you feel uncomfortable or uneasy. If someone harasses you or tries to extort money, contact the app’s support team.

7. Avoid interacting with suspicious profiles

If the person you are dating has posted little information about themselves and only one photo, their profile may be fake. Be careful when communicating with a person about whom you have so little information. Trust your gut about the sincerity of your conversation partner.

8. Do a video call before meeting in person

Once you’ve matched and chatted with a potential date, set up a video chat before meeting in person. This is a good way to make sure that the person you are meeting is who they say they are on their profile.

9. Let Someone Know About Your Date

Before you meet your online date in real life, tell your family or friends who you are meeting, where you are going, and when you plan to be home. You might even want to set up a “safety call” – when your friend or family member calls you during the date to check in and make sure everything is okay.

10. Meet in a public place and arrange your own transport

For your first date, meet in a public place and arrange your own transportation. Knowing how you will get to and from the meeting spot gives you the freedom to leave whenever you want. Keep some ride-hailing apps on your phone in case you need a quick way out. Make sure your phone is fully charged, or bring a charger or portable battery. Do not share your exact home address with anyone.

11. Do what makes you comfortable

Dating often involves drinking. But do not feel pressured to drink just because your date drinks. Stay aware of your surroundings and do not leave your drink unattended. For your first few dates, try to keep the meetings short. Some people feel more secure carrying a form of self-defense, like pepper spray or a strong flashlight.

12. Trust your instincts

Always listen to your gut instinct, and do nottbe afraid to leave a date or stop communicating with someone if you feel uncomfortable. Do notworry about seeming rude—your safety comes first. If you feel uneasy or unsafe during a date, block the person and report them so they cannot interact with your profile again.

Dating app safety is essential. Stay safe, follow these tips, and online dating can be a fun, stress-free experience.