Staying safe on dating apps

Dating apps can be a big part of university life if you’re single and looking to date. It can be fun to swipe left and right and chat to new people, but like anything online it can also be dangerous if you aren’t cautious. There are a few simple steps that you can take to keep yourself as safe as possible when using dating apps:

Verify your matches

Don’t meet up with dating app matches straight away. Chat with them for a while and take a look at their social media platforms to double-check that they are who they say they are. Lots of dating apps allow users to verify their identity and link their social profiles to their account, which is a great way to feel certain about who you are meeting. Alternatively, you could Facetime or video call anybody before meeting up in person.

Meet up in public

When meeting up with dating app matches for the first time, make sure that it is in a public place. This means that in the unlikely event that you will need help, or need to get away from the person, it will be much easier. Some great first meeting places could be local bars, restaurants, or cafes, or if you are on a budget take a walk through the park or your local city.

Tell friends or family about them

Before meeting anybody from dating apps in person, make sure a friend or family member knows where you are going. Let them know who you are meeting, where you are going and what time you expect you will be home. Check in with this friend regularly while you are out so that they know you are safe. You could even come up with a code word that you could text to them if you need help.

Make use of the safety features

Did you meet up with someone who wasn’t who they said they were? Or did your date make you feel uncomfortable? Most dating apps come with safety tools that allow you to report any bad behaviours. Make sure to use them so you can prevent the same happening to anybody else.

Edited by Nadia Lincoln