Dating in the modern era has evolved far beyond the standard “pick you up at seven with roses in my hand” routine. As lonely hearts leverage the power of the Internet to find love, services like dating websites and social media have become the modern matchmaker of our society. Going online means you can meet so many more people than if you were to just look for love in-person, therefore increasing your chances of finding “the one.” However, the ability to meet and connect with so many strangers online comes with a host of considerations.
Conduct a dating background check
As you embark on your online dating journey, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Meeting a stranger alone can be potentially dangerous. So, have you thought about conducting a dating background check before? While background checks might sound like something you would only use for professional reasons, such as hiring employees, they can be extremely helpful in personal situations too.
It is not uncommon for individuals to conduct a dating background check. Getting a gist of who that stranger on the other side of the screen is, beyond their carefully curated profile, can inform you of your decisions and behaviors if you meet with them in person.
Background checks can tell you about any criminal history the individual may have, where they have lived and even their possible relatives.
How to choose the right dating website
There are so many dating apps, websites and services out there, it can be hard to figure out which one works for you. While the goals of these services are mostly the same (finding a suitable partner for you), each online dating website boasts unique features that sets them apart.
Choosing the right dating websites for you depends on a few requirements:
Cost: Do you want to pay for access or special features? Or do you want it to be completely free? Many dating websites have a premium membership or other features hidden behind a paywall to try to make some profit. Some websites have a subscription-based model, for longtime users. Both paid and free dating sites are wildly popular, so you have options.
Demographic: Are you looking for something serious? Something casual? Are you looking for a partner from a particular religion? Each dating website attracts a different demographic, so knowing what you want and what kind of people you are looking for will help you choose which website to use.
Reviews: Online reviews can say a lot about a product, and that goes the same for dating websites. Before you commit to making an account and uploading all your pictures, make sure to check out the reviews of the website you are using. Was the user experience easy to use? Are a lot of users complaining about being catfished? Online reviews give you a general feel for the website and what frustrations people have with it.
How to stay safe when online dating
Besides dating background checks, there are some other ways you can keep yourself safe when online dating.
- Never give your full name before the first date. By giving your date your full name, you are making yourself easily Googleable.
- Make sure you let a friend or family member know that you’re going on a date. Let them know the details of the location, what you are wearing and when they should expect a text or call from you by. In the worst-case scenario where something happens to you, at least someone knows your general plan. (And if nothing goes wrong, text them when you get home safely!)
- Meet up in a public space. This one should be obvious. You should even consider choosing a busy restaurant over an empty bar, or a downtown date over a meetup in a more remote part of town.
