How to Date Safely in 2022

Dating dangers are everywhere in 2022. Sure, you might find the love of your life on your first or thirty-second go of it, but in between all the good people out there are some not-so-good ones. The catfishes, the scammers, even people that can put you in real physical danger.

The Dangers of Online Dating

First, let’s look at some of the dangerous situations you might find yourself in while dating online.

Catfishing

They’re too good to be true. They’re not who they say they are. This is the dangerous world of catfishing. People create fake, enticing profiles on dating sites and apps to trick people into thinking they’re someone else. This can lead to serious financial, emotional, and even physical harm.

If that supermodel is messaging you on Tinder and asking for money, it’s probably a catfish. Don’t trust everything you see online. Be skeptical and do your research before meeting up with someone you met online.

Scammers

There are scammers on every dating site and app looking to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. They might create a fake profile to build trust and then start asking for money. They might even send you fake money in order to get you to send them real money.

Never send money to someone you just met online, no matter how well you think you know them. Don’t give them information that could compromise your financial security, like your bank account number or social security number.

Meeting Up with Strangers

The real problem with online dating is that you don’t have references for the person you’re meeting. When you’re dating the friend of a friend, you at least have some level of trust. But when you’re meeting someone from the internet, there’s no telling who they really are.

This is the danger that comes with the larger pool of potential partners. While that certainly has its advantages, it opens you up to the unknown.

How to Stay Safe

Now that we know how dangerous dating can be, let’s work on some solutions.

Be Skeptical

The first step to dating safely is to be skeptical. Don’t take everything at face value. Don’t be afraid to do your research on someone before meeting up with them.

A simple Google search can turn up a lot of information on someone. You can also use social media to your advantage. A quick look through someone’s Facebook profile can tell you a lot about them. You can even check public records to see if they have anything in their past that might make them unsafe to date.

Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

If you feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to walk away. This is especially true if you’re meeting up with someone you met online. If they pressure you into doing something you’re not comfortable with, or if they make you feel unsafe in any way, just walk away.

Get to Know Them First

When you’re getting to know someone, take your time. Don’t rush into anything. Build up a level of trust before you take things to the next level.

This is especially important when you see someone for the first time. Don’t go to their house. Meet in a public place where there are as many other people around as possible. This will make it harder for them to do anything to hurt you.

Use The Tools Available To You

There are tons of different ways to communicate with someone before going on a date. Facetime is an excellent way to eliminate catfish as a potential threat, for example. You can also use apps like Tinder that allow you to see how many mutual friends you have with someone before meeting up with them.

This is a great way to get a better idea of who someone is. If you have a lot of mutual friends, that’s a good sign. It means you have some level of trust with them already.

Use Your Head

At the end of the day, you need to use your head. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t normally do just because you’re meeting someone online. If something feels off, it probably is.

Dating can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to stay safe. Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to date safely in 2022.