How to date safely online

Tinder, OKCupid, Dattch, Grinder, Hinge. Online dating is hot on the market with millions downloading dating apps to potentially meet their matches.

But is the hype of online dating really worth it? Or is it a dangerous game to play?

Even though there are many success stories where online couples have ended up dating for long periods of time, there are even more stories where people have been cheated by cat-fish (those who steal other identities and make it their own) and lied to.

In light of this here are a few tips on how to protect your online self from such people:

• Never give out personal details such as contact information, locations etc. You never know what others will do with this information.

• If you sense that someone you are talking to is sketchy or dodgy, listen to your instinct and avoid talking to them. Intuition is never a bad thing and often saves us from bad situations. Trust it.

• Avoid sending photos, especially provocative ones. Once such photos are published online they can spread like wild fire and your reputation can be tarnished for as long as they exist.

• If need be, research the person. A background check on Facebook, Instagram and other social media apps may prove beneficial and help you make a more informed decision on the person.

• Protect your feelings. You never truly know who you are talking to. People’s identities online can be very different to that offline. Safeguard your feelings until you actually meet the person in reality.

• If meeting a person you met online in reality, choose a place that is busy and central. Make sure there are people around you at all times and do not go home with that person until you have met them face-to-face a sufficient number of times.

Online dating is not necessarily a bad thing but it is risky. Protect yourself and be wise. This limits the risks and allows for safe fun.