Online dating is a great way to meet a variety of people from the comfort of your couch. Make sure the only thing you have to be nervous about is whether you and your date will get along or not. Prepare yourself for any dangerous situation ahead of time with these crucial online dating safety tips.

APR 24, 2017

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“Keeping the location to yourself until shortly beforehand prevents a potential attacker from having time to research and plan their attack.  ”


Online Dating Safety Tips

Online dating can be a great way to meet interesting people and possibly find a compatible partner in your local area. Think about the endless stream of people on you "know" on social media and how few of those people you would have the opportunity to talk to in natural life.


Speaking to someone online can give you a false sense of security about an individual though—you can chat with someone online for months and still not know what they’re really like due to the wall of anonymity the internet provides.


If you’re going to be taking the risk of meeting someone off the internet, make sure the only thing you have to be nervous about is whether you and your date will get along or not. Prepare yourself for any dangerous situation ahead of time with these crucial online dating safety tips.

⭐You Are In Charge⭐

You should pick the place to meet and don't give the info to your new date until a few hours before your encounter. Keeping the location to yourself until shortly beforehand prevents a potential attacker from having time to research and plan their attack. They will not be able to walk the street and look for dark areas. They will not be able to visit the restaurant beforehand to see the floor plan. Eliminate the possibility of someone preplanning to harm you on your date.
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⭐Have Designated Dating App Only Profile Pics⭐

It's important to have one specific picture or series of pics that you use for online dating apps only. Doing so will prevent an ill-intentioned date from doing a reverse image search and digging in to your personal life in order to stalk or do harm to you.

⭐Have A Dating App Only Phone Number⭐

Before sharing your digits with the new guy you met online, download a private phone number app. These apps allow you to use your phone as you normally would but assign a private number that can be activated when making certain calls. Additionally, Google Voice offers a free phone number that you can designate to use for dating only.

⭐Do A Background Check⭐

While it's crucial to keep your private information discreet, it's equally vital that you do a thorough background check on anyone that you are going to meet through online dating.


Don't be cheap with your life. Spend the money to purchase a quality online background check subscription and use it thoroughly. Many of the online background check providers will detail criminal records, bankruptcies and legal woes in addition current address, phone number, employer and even alternate social media profiles.


Read the article Breaking Down the Background Check to determine which one is best for you. They are worth every penny when it comes to verifying any red flags for your safety in advance. 

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“Date rape drugs are colorless, odorless and tasteless. Watch your drink at all times.”


Bars and busy restaurants are ideal places for first dates because they are crowded. However, if you’re going to be drinking on a date, you are automatically susceptible to one of the most dangerous, and common, ways for an attacker to take advantage of the situation: date rape drugs.​

⭐Watch Your Drink At All Times⭐

The most common substances used as date rape drugs are Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine.

If someone were to slip something in your drink while you were out with friends, one may see the attacker tamper with your drink or notice a change in your behavior and prevent you from leaving alone or with someone else. However, when you’re on a date, any strangers that notice you acting overly intoxicated may presume that your attacker is well-known to you, and is taking care of you, when it is quite the opposite.

While on a date, there are several things you can do to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of date rape.
Don’t leave your drinks unattended at any time, even if it’s just while you pop to the restroom.

Don’t accept any drinks from your date that the waiter hasn’t brought directly to your table, or that you haven’t watched the bartender prepare start to finish. Your date could have plenty of opportunities to tamper with your drink if he grabs it from the bar and brings it to your table.

If you want to be more subtle about protecting yourself than flat out refusing a drink, you can use a Date Rape Drug Test Kit to discreetly check if your drink has been tampered with. These date rape drug test kits are small strips that fit easily into a purse or clutch.

When you add a drop of your drink to one of the testing areas, it will change color depending on whether your drink is good to go or if it detects something it shouldn’t. Using a date rape drug test kit can give you peace of mind while you sip away, allowing you to focus on your date, not your drink.

While on a date, there are several things you can do to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of date rape:
  • Don’t leave your drinks unattended at any time, even if it’s just while you pop to the restroom.

  • Don’t accept any drinks from your date that the waiter hasn’t brought directly to your table, or that you haven’t watched the bartender prepare start to finish. Your date could have plenty of opportunities to tamper with your drink if he grabs it from the bar and brings it to your table.

  • If you want to be more subtle about protecting yourself than flat out refusing a drink, you can use a Date Rape Drug Test Kit to discreetly check if your drink has been tampered with. These date rape drug test kits are small strips that fit easily into a purse or clutch.

    When you add a drop of your drink to one of the testing areas, it will change color depending on whether your drink is good to go or if it detects something it shouldn’t. Using a date rape drug test kit can give you peace of mind while you sip away, allowing you to focus on your date, not your drink.
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⭐Communicate With Your Tribe⭐

Always let at least two friends know where you are going and what time you expect to be home. Ask them to be available by phone in case you need to reach them in an emergency and notify them immediately if your location changes or you decide to have a night cap before heading home.

If you live alone leave a note on the fridge stating where you are, who you are with and what time you expect to be home. God forbid, if you are abducted and police enter your home to begin searching for you, they will have good information to start building their timeline from.

Get together with your besties and establish a code word that will alert them that you need help immediately. This is your emergency word.

Similar to your private emergency word, order an "angel shot" from the bartender if you need help. Many in the service industry are taught that this is the universal code word from a customer in need of escape help.

⭐Online Dating Safety Red Flags⭐

According to ADT, one of the nations leaders in safety and security, these are some online dating red flags to watch out for.

1. If your prospective date only has one or two pictures, it may indicate that they're a bot or an otherwise fake profile.

2. You should be cautious if the person you've matched with constantly dodges your questions, or they only provide vague answers.

3. If you’re chatting with someone who tries to force you to meet in person before you're ready, this could also be a red flag.

4. If your match refuses to talk with you on the phone before meeting, this could indicate that they’re trying to catfish you.

5. Someone who posts their social media handle on their profile may not be an overt red flag, but it could suggest that they're only looking for followers and not a serious dating match.


6. Be cautious if someone unmatches with you after getting your phone number or before you get a chance to go on a date with them. This could be a way for a person to prevent being reported on those apps.


7. Profiles of people who aren't local, especially if they only want to meet at a hotel or other private area, should be blocked.

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⭐The Takeaway⭐

Meeting Mr. Right is still possible in today's technology driven dating world. Just be safe while you go about doing so. Taking these steps to add layers of privacy to your digital life and being aware about how you go about meeting in person are paramount to the experience.


Defense Divas® wants to keep you and your personal property safe. Follow us on all your preferred social media channels to get a daily dose of self-defense tips and safety awareness right in your feed.


Copyright©2017 All rights reserved. This article or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Defense Divas®.

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