Getting to know someone online is always exciting – but it also opens you up to dangers. Now a privacy expert has revealed the key red flags to be wary of while using dating apps or websites
Dating apps have opened up our world, but putting your trust in strangers comes with serious risks.
We’ve all been there: texting someone for weeks on end before taking the plunge and arranging a date. And then starting the whole process over when a once lively chat fizzles out. But do you ever really know someone behind a screen? How can we protect ourselves while using the likes of Tinder and Hinge?
While we all know the importance of online safety, dating apps can be a breeding ground for stalkers who gain access to people easily through dating apps and sites.
Privacy expert Trevor Cooke, at EarthWeb, has shared some red flags that could mean you’re dating someone dangerous without realising it.
Overly persistent behaviour
One of the signs Trevor urges you to look out for is persistent behaviour. While it’s important to date someone who shows they’re interested and are good at responding to your messages in the initial stages of getting to know each other, Trevor claimed it can be a warning sign of something sinister when they don’t respect your boundaries.
He said: “If your match messages you constantly, even after you’ve indicated that you’re busy or need space, this could indicate an unhealthy obsession. This behaviour may escalate to an incessant need for communication, making you feel overwhelmed or trapped.”
Invasive questions
You want to feel like your potential love match is interested in you and asking questions to get to know you better, but you should always be cautious if things get too intimate too early on. It’s good to share details, but you should always remain vigilant and careful about how much you do share.
He explained: “Be cautious if your date starts probing into deeply personal areas too soon. Questions about your daily routine, living situation, financial status, or past relationships, especially when pressed for details, can signal an attempt to gather information for controlling or manipulative purposes.”
Unpredictable or unstable behaviour
We can all have a bad day every once in a while, but Trevor claimed erratic mood swings or unpredictable actions can be “significant warning signs”.
“If your date’s behaviour shifts dramatically from affectionate to aggressive or if they react disproportionately to minor issues, this instability can be a precursor to more dangerous, volatile behaviour,” he shared.
Attempts to control or monitor your activities
Although you want your dating app match to be interested in what you’re up to, if they start trying to influence how you spend your time or who you see, it’s probably time to call it quits. The expert warned: “A potential stalker might try to dictate or closely monitor your activities. This can range from insisting on knowing your whereabouts at all times to trying to control who you interact with. Any behaviour that seeks to limit your autonomy or isolate you from friends and family is a major red flag.”
Showing up uninvited
This one would alarm anyone, but if your date turns up unannounced it’s a clear sign you may be in danger. Trevor said: “One of the most overt signs is if your date appears at places you frequent without being invited. This indicates they are tracking your movements, which is a clear invasion of privacy and a potential threat to your safety.”
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