Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places

Whether you are new to dating or have been looking for someone special for a while, there is no question that inevitably you will be faced with the prospect of dealing with one (or more) of the popular dating apps out there. The first thing you should do is choose the app that’s right for you. There are plenty out there, so take some time to do some research. For example, if the appearance-based Tinder seems too superficial, consider Siren or Loveflutter.

Choosing the best app means that you’ll be more likely from the start to meet someone whose interests and values match yours. But then once you’ve done that and you’ve also created your profile and made your match, how do you make sure you don’t run into one of the crazy people out there? These ideas should help.

Read More: 3 Ways To Be Safe on Facebook

Do Some Social Media Sleuthing
Don’t even think about engaging in a long conversation with a potential date without first checking that person out on social media. To make this easy, some apps automatically link to Facebook or LinkedIn. Be sure to dig around a bit in your search for a spouse.

Consider the Built-in Security Features of the App
Some dating apps have some security features built right in. If safety is a top priority of yours, consider an app like Badoo, which allows you to send a “selfie request” to someone you are chatting with so that you can confirm that person is who he/she says he/she is based on comparison with other images from social media.

Go with a Friend
Meeting anyone new on a one-on-one basis is a risky proposition in many ways. Apps like Cheers remove that riskiness by allowing you to create a group event. As a bonus, Cheers pays for the first round of drinks, so you don’t even have that awkwardness of who pays for what to deal with.

The bottom line is, of course, that you should take steps to protect your personal safety no matter where you are and what you are doing, whether it is on dating apps, social media, or in real life.