Safety And Online dating

DOS AND DON’TS OF MEETING UP WITH YOUR MATCH FOR THE FIRST TIME

We all know that life today can be so busy and complicated. It seems like there is always something that needs to be done. Because of our fast-paced way of life, traditional dating methods can seem impossible at times. If you are looking to branch out and find a new love interest, online dating can be a good option for people looking to explore! Whether you are looking for a short-term fling or a long-term relationship, online dating is an option worth considering. Just look at football player Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie, they met on Tinder and are now one of the most adorable couples out there! While online dating can be a good way to meet new people in your area, it is extremely important to make sure that you stay safe and take certain precautions. Some of the risks of online dating can be fraud, catfishing, sexual abuse, and stalking. It is important to equip yourself with some precautions to avoid falling victim to any of these risks. I am going to go through some of the dos and don’ts of online dating and meeting up with your match for the first time. With these tips, you will be able to meet your potential new boo while also staying safe in this crazy world.

Dos:

DO always trust your gut!

• Your gut is usually right! If something doesn’t seem right, then it probably isn’t. Listen to your instincts.

DO be clear about your expectations and make sure that you are both on the same page.

• It is important to communicate your boundaries, especially with someone that you are meeting for the first time. Let them know what you are looking for so that you can both set proper expectations.

DO keep the personal details that you share about yourself to a minimum at the beginning.

• If you haven’t met the person before, then you don’t want to share too many personal details about yourself because you don’t know yet for sure if they can be trusted with this information.

DO video chat prior to meeting.

• Video chatting can help you avoid falling victim to catfishing. This way, you can make sure your match is really who they say they are.

DO meet in public for the first time.

• Safety should be your number one priority. You should meet up with your match in public for the first time and in a place where others are around. In case anything goes wrong, you want to be in a space that you are able to leave or where others are around to help you. 

DO always tell a trusted person where you are going when you are meeting up with someone for the first time.

• This point can not be stressed enough! You should always let someone that you trust know where you are going. It is also not a bad idea to share your location with your friends or loved ones before you go. This way, if anything goes wrong, someone will be able to see where you are and help you if needed.

DO investigate the person prior to the date.

• While it is not unheard of for someone to not have social media, it is pretty uncommon, especially in college. I would recommend looking the person up on Instagram or any social media page to make sure they are legit. If there is no trace of the person anywhere online, that is a little suspicious.

Don’ts:

DON’T feel pressured to meet someone if you don’t want to.

• It is important not to let anyone pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do. If someone is pressuring you to meet up in person when you aren’t sure, that is a red flag.

DON’T feel bad for leaving a date if you are uncomfortable.

• If you meet up with an online match and they are making you uncomfortable, LEAVE. Your safety and comfort is the #1 priority. Don’t worry about being rude, it is perfectly okay to leave when you feel unsafe. 

DON’T meet up at someone’s house for the very first time.

• It is never a good idea to go to someone’s house that you have never met before. Even if you are looking for a short term fling, you should always meet up in person for the first time in public. I cannot stress enough that your safety is the biggest priority. 

DON’T rely on your date for transportation.

• It is important that you do not have to rely on your date for transportation. It is never a good idea to get in the car with someone you haven’t met before. You also don’t want to be stuck if you are in a situation where you want to leave.

DON’T feel pressured into going home with your date.

• Everyone knows about the “hook-up culture” that college has, but it is important to not feel pressured into doing anything that you don’t want to do. If your date is pressuring you into going home with them, that is a red flag. You should be with someone who respects your boundaries and won’t make you feel like you have to do anything that you are unsure of. 

It is so important to practice these Do’s and Don’ts when you meet up with a match for the first time. While meeting a new person can be exciting, there are some precautions that should be taken to ensure your safety. I want you all to stay safe out there and enjoy your future dates! Happy swiping 🙂