In a recent YouTube video that’s been making the rounds, an older woman shared her traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted by someone she met through an online dating platform. Her story is heartbreaking, but unfortunately, it’s not unique. As online dating becomes the primary way people meet romantic partners-with studies showing that 70% of couples now connect through dating apps and websites-understanding how to protect yourself has never been more critical.

If you’re dating online or considering it, this guide will help you navigate the digital dating world safely and smartly.

The Reality of Online Dating Today

Online dating has opened doors for people to connect in ways that weren’t possible a generation ago. It’s particularly valuable for those of us who are busy, don’t frequent bars or clubs, or simply want to meet people outside our immediate social circles. But with this convenience comes risk. Not everyone online has good intentions, and the anonymity of the internet can embolden those looking to deceive, manipulate, or harm others.

The good news? You can significantly reduce your risk by taking some straightforward precautions.

Start With a Video Call-Always

Before you ever agree to meet someone in person, insist on a video call. This isn’t about being paranoid; it’s about being smart. A video call serves multiple purposes:

Verify they’re real. You can confirm the person looks like their photos and is who they claim to be.

Assess their behavior. Pay attention to how they communicate, their body language, and whether they seem genuine or evasive.

Build comfort. A video conversation can help you determine if there’s actual chemistry worth pursuing.

If someone makes excuses about why they can’t video chat-their camera is broken, they’re too shy, they’re traveling-consider it a red flag. In today’s world, almost everyone has access to video calling through their smartphone. Someone who refuses might be hiding something.

Investigate Their Photos: The Reverse Image Search

One of the most powerful tools in your online dating safety toolkit is the reverse image search. This technology allows you to check if someone’s profile pictures are stolen from someone else’s social media or appear elsewhere on the internet. Here’s how to do it:

Using Google Reverse Image Search:

On a computer, go to images.google.com. Click the camera icon in the search bar and either upload the person’s photo or paste the image URL. Google will show you where else that image appears online.

On a smartphone, if you’re using an iPhone or Android, you can download the Google app or use your mobile browser. Save the person’s profile picture to your phone, then go to images.google.com in your browser. Tap and hold the search bar, select “Search with your camera,” then choose “Upload” and select the saved photo.

What to look for: If the image appears on multiple dating profiles with different names, on modeling websites, or on someone else’s social media account with a completely different identity, that’s a major warning sign.

If you discover someone is using fake photos, report their profile to the dating platform immediately and cease all communication.

Watch Out for AI-Generated Scams

Here’s something new to be aware of: scammers are now using artificial intelligence to create more convincing fake profiles and conversations. According to the 2025 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report, nearly half of people currently on dating apps have been targeted by scams, and about 60% of dating app users believe they’ve had a conversation that was generated by AI rather than a real person.

What does this mean for you? Be skeptical of conversations that feel too perfect or too smooth. AI-generated messages often lack the natural rhythm of human conversation-the typos, the random tangents, the specific personal details that come from real lived experience. If someone’s messages feel like they could have been written by a customer service bot, they might have been.

Also be extremely cautious about anyone who asks you to invest in financial schemes, especially those promising guaranteed returns, or who requests money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency for any reason. These requests are almost always scams, no matter how convincing the story or how strong the connection feels.

Stay on the Dating Platform Longer

Many people are eager to move conversations off the dating app and onto text or social media. But here’s why you might want to slow down: scammers often push to transition off the app quickly to avoid being reported or blocked. By staying within the app longer, you maintain control over the conversation and benefit from the platform’s safety features and monitoring systems.

There’s no rush. A genuine person who’s interested in you will understand if you want to keep chatting on the app until you’ve had a chance to verify who they are through video calls and other means.

If you do eventually want to share a phone number, consider using a secondary number through apps like Google Voice or TextNow. These free apps give you a separate phone number you can use for texting and calls without revealing your real number.

Related: Are Single People Having More Fun in the Bedroom?

Do Your Due Diligence: Background Checks and Social Media

While it might feel invasive, doing a basic background check on someone you’re considering meeting is a reasonable safety measure. Several online services offer background checks for a small fee. You can also search their name on Google to see what comes up-do they have a professional presence, or does anything concerning appear? Look them up on social media, since a real person typically has some social media footprint. If they claim to have no social media at all, that could be suspicious. And don’t be afraid to ask for their full name. If someone is reluctant to share basic information like their full name before meeting, question why.

Meet Smart: First Date Safety Rules

When you’re ready to meet in person, protect yourself by following these guidelines:

Always meet in public. Choose a busy restaurant, coffee shop, or public park. Never agree to a first meeting at someone’s home or a secluded location.

Tell someone where you’re going. Share your plans with a trusted friend or family member. Give them the person’s name, photo, and the location where you’ll be meeting. Better yet, use a location-sharing app like Find My Friends or Life360 so someone you trust can track your location during the date in real time.

Set up a check-in system. Arrange to text or call a friend at a specific time during your date. Many people find it helpful to have a code word or phrase they can text to signal distress-something casual like “Did you feed the cat?” that tells your friend you need help without alerting your date.

Provide your own transportation. Drive yourself or arrange your own ride. This ensures you can leave whenever you want.

Stay sober. Keep your wits about you. Don’t drink excessively, and never leave your drink unattended.

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t worry about being rude-your safety is more important than someone’s feelings.

Red Flags to Watch For

Throughout your online dating experience, stay alert for these warning signs: they avoid video calls or meeting in person after weeks of conversation, they ask for money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency for any reason, their stories don’t add up or change frequently, they push to move the relationship very quickly, they become angry or aggressive when you set boundaries, they want to move communication off the dating platform immediately, they pressure you to invest in financial opportunities with “guaranteed” returns, or their messages feel unnaturally perfect (possibly AI-generated).

Resources

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or domestic violence, help is available.

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

New Orleans Family Justice Center: 504-592-4005

Final Thoughts

The woman in that YouTube video never expected what happened to her, and that’s exactly why we must take these precautions seriously. You deserve to feel safe while searching for companionship and love.

Remember: Anyone who truly cares about you will respect your boundaries and understand your need to protect yourself. Don’t let anyone pressure you into skipping these safety steps. Your wellbeing is worth every extra moment of verification and every precaution you take.

Stay safe out there, and trust your instincts. They’re usually right.