… the younger generation. Don’t meet up with someone you don’t know like this. Just don’t do it,” she said.
With that in mind, here are three tips to dating online safer
1. First Meetings
Meet somewhere public, obviously. I’m not saying you need to go to a loud, crowded bar, but go somewhere public. Never meet at his home, or yours. Better still, pick a meeting spot that is not in your neighborhood.
Some people prefer to keep first meetings short, such as for drinks, I personally see nothing wrong with meeting for dinner if that’s what you like to do. The main thing is to make sure there are other people around. A walk in a park is romantic, but save it for a later date. (It will be more fun when you’re super into each other anyway!).
2. Tell A Friend
I know it’s cool to tell your girl that you’re going out with a guy you met online, but if it’s your first date, tell your friend everything. Tell your friend something personal about the guy: tattoo, log in to your personal messages with the guy, where he says he works, etc. This sounds scary but you need to give the police something to start with should you actually go missing as a result of an online date. Provide the phone number of the person you’re meeting to your friend. Have a post-date check-in time. Link her to his profile. Whatever you know, make sure she knows it, too. If you’re taking precautions, really take them.
3. Walking Home
Do not walk home with an online date. Many of us are guilty of not following this one. On first online dates, do not let him walk you home. Yes, it’s sweet and chivalrous of them to offer, but they don’t need to know where you live — yet.
Odds are this guy is totally nice and well intentioned, and I get that you don’t want to put him off. Afraid of being rude? Say your feet hurt, you’re exhausted, anything to just politely hop in a cab and head home on your own, even if it’s only a few blocks away. Don’t live in a city with cabs? Drive to your date, separately from him. Not every guy you go out with is going to have bad intentions, but this is a good practice to get into.