5 safety tips for online dating

2026-08-01

Meeting people online can be great, but it's worth taking basic precautions before meeting someone in person.

1. First date in a public place. Cafes, restaurants, or anywhere with people around beats a private location.

2. Tell someone you trust where you'll be and with whom. Sharing your live location with a friend costs one message and buys peace of mind.

3. Never share financial or card details with anyone you met on the app, no matter the excuse.

4. Talk through the app's chat before moving to another channel. It gives you time to get to know the person and to report them if something feels off.

5. Trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right, you don't owe anyone an explanation to leave or cut contact.