By Emma Di Salvo

The world of dating has changed. To find a connection, you no longer need to spend hours deciding what to wear, how to fix your hair and panic about the terrifying prospect of someone watching you eat everything in the world because, sorry, I don’t do salad. 

Nowadays, you can relax at home, in your ‘cats are better than people’ pyjamas, greasy hair, unshaved legs, and chat to potential partners online about why you’re so appealing. Inevitably though, the subject of meeting in person comes up. Eeek! 

But how safe is it really to meet someone from Tinder? Let’s explore.

The Appeal

Tinder wasn’t around when I was single, but I definitely would have used it if it had been. The issue I always found when wanting to meet a nice guy was that most couples seemed to meet in bars, pubs and nightclubs (certainly, this was the case when I was in my 20s). Now there’s nothing wrong with this. However, one thing was almost always a factor—alcohol. 

Alcohol can be great for confidence, skipping that awkward small talk and being honest about what you want. But it can also lead to poor decision-making (we’ve all been there). Using Tinder means you have time to think about your response, can discuss your likes and dislikes and arguably have a much more meaningful introduction. 

It is also very convenient. You can access Tinder anywhere, day or night…sounds ideal, right? 

I know couples that met on Tinder and are still very happy, but is it all rainbows and sunshine? Or does Tinder have a dark side too?

The Potential Risks

Of course, it does. Like anything in life, there are good and bad aspects. While some men have bad experiences using Tinder, unfortunately, the statistics indicate that the platform is much riskier for women. 

Approximately 57% of female users aged between 18 to 34 said they received a sexually explicit message or image they hadn’t requested. Furthermore, 19% of female Tinder users have reported threats of physical harm compared to 9% for men. 

Something that does worry users, both men and women, is the overhanging concern of being catfished. Catfishing is when an individual creates a fake profile hoping to woo someone online for nefarious reasons. We all knew that this happens sometimes, but the Netflix documentary ‘Tinder Swindler’, released in 2022, sent a fresh wave of panic and anxiety amongst users. 

In it, Simon Leviev (not his real name) gained the trust of multiple women, luring them into giving him vast amounts of cash. The documentary certainly didn’t do the online dating world any favours and is a stark reminder of something we so often forget…..we don’t really know who we’re talking to online.

The Reality

So, okay, there are good and bad points to dating using Tinder, but please don’t forget who is in control—you. Common sense goes a really long way when it comes to our online safety. 

I am not for one-second victim blaming anyone who has suffered at the hands of a criminal, but there are steps we can take that will give us the best possible chance of having a positive dating experience rather than a negative one. 

Here are 5 I suggest; please comment with others you think of!

The Rules

1. Always tell someone you are going on a Tinder date. Tell them where you are going, when and what time you are expected back. If you are late, arrange for them to call you.

2. If you are feeling particularly nervous about your date, the GPS tracking on your phone will ensure that someone will always know your location.

3. Meet your date in a crowded or public area, such as a bar or restaurant.

4. Never let your Tinder buddy get drinks without you being present. Go to the bar with them. If they ask why, be honest. If they have half a brain cell, they will understand.

5. Only give away personal information once you know the person well. This includes where you live. If they ask, which is perfectly normal, say the area but not any specifics.

BONUS RULE –

Never, under any circumstance, send money to your Tinder date. If you’re chatting and they do happen to ask, block them and move on to someone else. 

The dating world has changed from love at first sight, to love at first swipe. Millions of people turn to Tinder daily, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s a lot less work in many ways. You see someone you like, hope they like you, start chatting and voila! 

While we should all care about online safety, don’t allow it to scare you off from potentially finding a partner. The key is to be aware, think ahead and plan for the worst-case scenario. Remember, have fun, stay sexy, and above all—be safe!