Online Dating Safety
How do I meet someone online?
Meeting someone online is easier than ever. There are many websites and mobile applications available to match you with others in a specific location or with your preferred specific demographics.
Some of the more popular mobile apps like Tinder and Bumble are free. They’re common among the younger demographic, specifically those in urban areas. Sites like Match.com however, are typically used by a more mature audience and will require a paid membership in order to use their site.
Whether you are young, old, living in a city or the suburbs, one thing is certain, be yourself and be careful when using these sites. It is easier now than ever for individuals to pretend to be someone they are not on sites like these.
How long do I need to know someone online before meeting in person?
Once you have created a profile and started your search, we suggest beginning all conversations strictly through the messaging ability built into the application. It can be easy to share your phone number, personal information, or even meet your new friend in person. Prior to any of that, it is important to make sure you get to know someone a bit before providing specific details about who you are.
The most important thing about providing personal details or deciding to meet someone in person is that you feel comfortable. You should not feel pressured to do something you are not ready to do. Trust your gut and do your research about who you are meeting.
How do I really know the person I am meeting is safe?
While you will never know that who you are meeting is 100% safe, tools like Whitepages SmartCheck can help you feel more confident and knowledgeable before meeting someone in person. The information in Whitepages’ background check will help you gain access to criminal records, age, full name, relatives, and more. Using this information will help you decide if you should take the next step in meeting someone or if it’s time to move on to the next. Either way, trust your gut and do your research to stay safe.
