Scroll back twenty years, and we are all sat down in school and taught never to speak to strangers.

We are taught never to entertain the idea of meeting strangers we’ve never spoken to before in person. And Arthur Weasley once said, “Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain.” Which begs the question as to why we all now talk to Alexa!

Basically, we spent many years drumming it into an entire generation of people that we shouldn’t talk to strangers. And then the internet was born, and along came Uber, Tinder and other dating sites that mean we spend our time swiping left and right, hitching rides from strangers and on Arab Dating, where we meet men online and then in person. It’s crazy how fast the world changes, but rather than fight against it, we need to learn to be safe instead.

Online safety isn’t just about the trolls who like to bully and tear people down online. It’s making sure that you’re not accepting a date to go hiking on a first date, with a person you don’t truly know. It doesn’t matter if you have been talking to them for a year – you do not know a computer. Anyone can be whoever they want to be when they are speaking through a screen. 

With this in mind, let’s look at five ways to remain safe online:

Choose A Good Website

While online dating sites can only do so much to ensure the people using it are genuine, you need to choose a good website that will protect your data and your personal information. The big ones out there will do that and will have the appropriate security on the site itself.

Play Detective

Anyone you see that you like the look of online, Google them. Search them on social media, including sites like LinkedIn. If you have seen CatFish, copy the way that they search for images to know whether your interest has pictures that are legit. 

Only Meet In Public

Yeah, seriously don’t meet up with anyone to go for a hike. It’s asking for trouble as you’re isolated, alone and there is the potential for it to not end too well. Meet somewhere in a very busy place, like a cafe or pub. This way, if you’re in trouble you can head to the bar and “Ask For Angela”.

Tell A Friend

You may be meeting in public, but you need a friend to call you halfway through the date. If you’re having a good time, answer and just say so. If you’re having a bad time, pretend they’re faking an emergency and get the heck outta there!

Don’t Be Afraid To Report Someone

If you are being made to feel uncomfortable or intimidated by anyone, report them to the dating site and – if necessary – the authorities. Don’t be afraid.

Talking to strangers can lead to beautiful things, just be smart about it!