6 Savvy Ways To Avoid Creeps While Online Dating
How to vet through your matches.
Dean Drobot | Canva It's safe to say that, for the most part, everyone has the same general fear when it comes to online dating. The biggest concern is usually if the person on the other side of the Internet will match their profile. Thankfully, in this day and age, technology has made it a little bit easier for you to help ensure you are meeting the person in the picture. I have been online dating for about six years now. Before that, I was meeting people online from various social media sites. I am now in my mid-twenties and have enough experience to compile a checklist of things anyone must do before meeting someone offline. Of course, sometimes exceptions do apply, but for the most part, this list is my standard go-to routine and dating advice for fellow singles. Remember, regardless of the checklist, always trust your instincts, and be safe and conscious of the fact there is some truth in the advice we were given as kids.
Here are 6 savvy ways to avoid creeps while online dating:
1. Before responding to a message, check their pictures
Make sure they have more than one. If they have a few, be sure they are not just different poses taken from their desk or their bathroom mirror. You want someone who gets out of the house, and if their three pictures are all in the same room, it's probably a bad sign. It's a plus if they have other people in pictures with them as well. But many sites ban this. So, to ensure they are social and have real friends, there are other methods to verify their social network.
2. Pick apart their profile
To determine if this person is a good match, you need to read their profile in detail. Do not base someone solely on their picture. You would be shocked to know how intimate some people will get about their private lives. You may see a red flag or a piece of information that might warn you to stay away. There are some interesting things people put on profiles, including people strictly looking for a third party, people openly admitting they are married, people admitting to drug use, and so on. It's your personal preference. Nobody is judging, but read it to be sure this person is what you are looking for in a relationship.
3. Only respond to non-generic messages
I would not respond to a man whose message is "Hey, cutie" or "You have the most amazing profile I have ever seen." Let's be real: They are sending these messages to every woman they pass through, which tickles their fancy with hopes of getting a woman to fall for it. You want someone who took an interest in detail in your profile and took the time to write a thoughtful message. Also, do not hesitate to message a man. The three long-term relationships I have been in started from a dating site, and I was the one who initiated it by messaging first.
4. Distinguish them on your phone
After you have talked to a person consistently on the site or via text, there's nothing wrong with exchanging numbers early on. Phone calls and texts make it easier to get to know the person you are speaking with. But if you are talking to multiple people, which most people do when online dating, make their name in your phone something that will remind you of who they are. It's easy to lose track when you have no true face with the name.
You should also check to see if he has a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or other social networking profile. Most people have some sort of online presence, regardless of their age. By checking these sites, it will allow you to see if he has pictures with other people, with friends or family, and his hobbies, and interests. If someone tells you they do not have a Facebook or any other profile page, it always sets off a red flag. This does not mean you shouldn't meet them, but you should be a bit more cautious.
5. Talk with them on the phone
At some point, you should talk to him on the phone. Does his voice sound like a man? Is he speaking in full sentences or muttering words here and there, or is he always tired and doesn't have much to say? If they are texting you while they are at the gym, park, or watching the game, tell them to take a picture and send it. If their camera is broken, someone in the group has one. Resistance is futile. If they are resistant to sharing photos or talking on the phone, something is just not right.
Pexels / Andrea Piacquadio
6. Video chat with them
You have ensured they have numerous photos, their profile meets your fancy, you have spoken at length, they have a Facebook or have proven enough to you they have friends, and they are who they say they are. Your instincts tell you it's okay to meet this person. Make sure you meet someone in public for your first meeting. Tell a friend where you are going and when you will be there. Have a safe word you can text to a friend about 15 minutes into the date to signal you are okay.
Do not let the guy pick you up on your first date, and do not drink so much that he has to drive you home. It's also okay to let your date know you are telling someone where you are. If this seems to be a problem for him, that's another red flag. Most people will understand you are safe and want to ensure your safety. Although you should use this checklist to reduce your chances of meeting an imposter online, always trust your instincts. If it smells (cat)fishy, it probably is.
Kimberly James is a dating expert who has been involved in the event marketing and dating industry for 15 years.
Telina McCord has always had a passion for exploring, analyzing, and reporting on human relationships. She wrote her entire master's thesis on The Evolution of Dating and became The Girl Who Dated 30 Guys in 30 Days.