Do’s and Dont's of Online Dating
Feb 13, 2024
Written by: Joe Jardine
When you're looking for love, the internet can be a great place to find it. With so many dating websites and apps available, it's easier than ever to connect with potential partners. A 2017 study by Pew Research Center found that 17% of American adults have used online dating sites or mobile dating apps. However, it's important to remember that online dating can be tricky - there are some do's and don'ts that you should keep in mind to stay safe and protect your emotional wellbeing. In this blog post, we'll discuss the dos and don'ts of online dating, specifically as they relate to mental health. We'll also provide some tips on how to stay safe while you're looking for love online.
Do: Focus on being the person you want to be before finding the person you want to find.
It's easy to fall into the trap of looking for love online because you feel lonely or like no one understands your situation. While it's normal for us all to want someone special in our lives, it shouldn't be done at the expense of personal growth and development first. Instead of focusing on finding a partner, focus on becoming the best possible version of yourself. When you're happy and content with who you are, it'll be easier to find someone who complements and enhances your life, not completes it.
Don't: Lie about who you are or what you want.
Lying is never a good idea, especially when it comes to online dating. If you lie about your age, weight, height, etc., the other person is likely to find out sooner rather than later. This can lead to hurt feelings and a ruined relationship before it even has a chance to start.
Do: Take your time getting to know someone.
Be cautious when meeting new people, especially if you're using online dating services. Instead of rushing into things, take your time getting to know the person better. Chat with them on the app or website for a little while before agreeing to meet in person; this will help ensure that they're who they say are and aren't trying to scam you out of money.
Don't: Give out your personal information to someone you haven't met in person.
This may seem obvious, but it's important that you keep your identity safe while dating online. Don't give anyone else access to your home address or phone number until after meeting them at least once! Even then, only give those details if they've been verified as safe.
Do: Be wary of people claiming to be "perfect" or "everything that's missing in your life."
While many people use online dating services specifically because they want a relationship, some users may not have the best intentions. In particular, scammers may try to gain your trust by claiming that they're perfect for you or everything that's missing in your life; this is often done as a way of tricking victims into sending them money.
Don't: Let online dating take over your life.
Remember that online dating is just one way of finding love. If you find yourself spending all your time on dating websites or apps, you're less likely to meet people in other ways. Balance out your online dating with activities that don't involve the internet; this will help keep you grounded and remind you that there are other ways to find love.
Do: Take steps to protect yourself online when using a dating website or app.
It's important not only for your physical wellbeing but also because there are ways scammers can use information about your location, hobbies, interests, etc. to trick you into sending them money or giving them access to your computer system. Anyone who asks for this type of information should be considered a red flag.
Do: Use a reputable website or app like Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid or Match
When looking for a dating website or app, it's important to use one that is reputable and has been verified as safe. This will decrease your chances of encountering scams or malicious users.
Don't: Drink alcohol or take drugs before meeting someone in person.
This one is pretty self-explanatory! Meeting someone for the first time while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be a recipe for disaster. You may not make the best impression but more importantly, could potentially put yourself in danger.
Do: Be yourself.
This is probably the most important thing to remember when it comes to online dating. If you try to be someone you're not, you'll likely end up frustrated and the other person will eventually find out. Be yourself and let the relationship grow from there.
Final thoughts
If you're looking for love and want to stay safe while dating online, it's important not only to use a reputable website or app like Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid or Match but also consider the do's and don'ts of using these sites. Some key points are remembering that being yourself is best when meeting someone; taking your time getting to know them before agreeing to meet in person; never giving out personal information (home address, phone number) until after meeting once in person; be wary of people claiming to be "perfect" because this may just be a trick used by scammers who will try to gain trust with fake profiles.
We hope these tips help on your quest for love! We are not a match-making service but we are here to help you work on yourself while you're on the journey! Click here to set up a coaching call and start taking steps to become your best self.
Do you struggle with anxiety in ways you can no longer handle?
You can't keep track of the number of panic attacks you've had this week. You feel like you're drowning all the time and the only thing that can stop the feeling is sleep. So you try to sleep, but your racing thoughts keep you awake. And when you finally do fall into slumber, it doesn't take long before you're awake again and that drowning feeling returns. You're lucky if you have a minute of calm before the storm hits again.
