Picture this: You just got out of a long-term relationship and are finally ready to date again, but you realise that your social circle is small, so you need to meet new people. Your friend, Tracy, who has been in the dating scene for a while, encourages you to try online dating. At first, you adamantly refuse, because you think it’s a sign of desperation, but after giving it some thought, you realise it is not the worst idea. So, you download Pacaya, Bumble or Tinder, sign up and your journey begins.
It is 1 a.m. and you just swiped left to the 60th person today and you have gone through almost all the profiles of people near you. You had thought online dating would be easy, but you are having quite a hard time.
If you are having a difficult time finding someone to date online, you are not alone. Many people go through this when it comes to finding the ideal partner on the Internet. In this digital age we’re living in, most human interactions have gone online; from conducting business to shopping, and even forming personal relationships. As meeting people online becomes the norm, it is important that you always keep your safety in mind.
Whether you are interacting with new people virtually or meeting in person for the first time, it is important that you take steps to ensure you feel safe. As we celebrate the month of love, here are some tips to ensure that you are able to gauge the online dating profiles that are authentic to avoid being catfished.
- Avoid connecting with dubious profiles
Before you start a conversation with someone online it is important to check if their profile is genuine. One of the ways to do this is by checking if the person has pictures because connecting with a profile with no pictures increases the chances of someone lying about who they are. It is also important to check if the person has their social media accounts linked, as this will ensure you can verify that the person exists and is not just using someone else’s pictures.
- Report suspicious users
On most dating sites, there are users who aren’t there for the right reasons, which is why it is important to be on the lookout for people who make you feel uncomfortable or try to get your personal information. With online dating, it is important to trust your gut feeling if you feel something doesn’t feel right. For example, someone asking for financial assistance or disappearing from the App and coming back under a new name is someone you need to avoid. This is one of the signs that a user is on the platform either to swindle people of their money or get their personal details to commit fraud. Remember if someone seems to have created a fake profile and is asking for too much from you from the start, you should block and report the user.
- Avoid sharing your personal information
When joining dating Apps, it is important to avoid sharing your personal information such as your credit card details. Most dating sites have privacy policies and so if you receive a request to share such personal information under the guise of the website needing such details, you should report it. Sharing your personal information could lead to crimes such as blackmail and fraud.
- Video chat before meeting in person
Talking to someone online means you get close without having met in person. So, to make your first meet up in person even easier you should video call to find out whether it is the same person you have been talking to online. If you find that the other person you are talking to does not want to video call, then that could be a sign that they may be using someone else’s pictures and are not being honest with you. Doing a video call before meeting in person ensures you don’t get cheated.
- Be open-minded
Lastly, even though you may have a specific type of person you are looking for, it’s important to be open to getting to know different people. For example, if you are not into a sport that someone likes, try and remain open to learning more about it and not cutting communication just because you do not share the same interests.
Always remember that meeting your perfect match online does not have to be fast or forced, give yourself time to chat to different people and you might just click with your person on the Web. But, always remain alert to ensure that you are safe online.
