According to Statistic Brain, more than 42 million Americans have tried using online dating sites, like OkCupid and eHarmony, and why not? As more and more people start using their mobile devices to connect with friends, family, and others, what could be more natural than bringing online functionality to the dating sphere? Despite popular belief, relationships forged online can be just as real as those built offline, with nearly 17% of all marriages in the last year made between people who met on dating sites.
While attracting women and men on dating sites can undoubtedly lead to good things, you need to keep in mind that it can just as easily go wrong. The Huffington Post writes of Mary Kay Beckman, a young woman who was tired of not knowing where to meet singles. After she used dating sites, a member of the site showed up at her house, stabbing her multiple times. Luckily, she survived. With these tips, you can help yourself avoid similar issues.
Three Tips for Staying Safe on Dating Sites
- Use a Photo-checking Program
- Don’t Jump the Gun
- Take a Tip from Sherlock Holmes
It should be no surprise that people use outdated pictures of themselves from when they were younger or in better shape on their online dating profiles, but did you know people will often use photos that aren’t even theirs? That’s why The Huffington Post recommends loading the photo of people you’re considering contacting through TinEye and other photo-checking programs. TinEye will scan the photo, checking for other places it appears online. If other names are assigned to the same photo on other websites, you know you might be setting yourself up for trouble.
It can be tempting to meet someone in person right off the bat once you’ve met them online. After all, how much do you really talk to someone in a bar or at a party before you decide to exchange numbers and meet up? As Match.com suggests, you can’t think about online encounters in the same way. Give yourself time to get to know the person on the other side of the computer screen before deciding to meet up. It’s a matter of your safety.
If you’ve ever used any dating sites, you know how hard it is not to immediately Google anyone you start talking with. U.S. News writes that you should embrace that urge to play detective. You’d be surprised how easily it is to dig up court records on a person, if you spend just a little time working through Google. There’s no shame to wanting to find out who you’re dealing with.
Using online dating sites can be the key to finding the person you’re going to spend your life with, but it can also be a recipe for disaster. Keep these tips in mind to stay safe and find happiness on dating sites. Read more blogs like this.
