Looking for a Valentine’s Day date on Tinder or Bumble? Use caution before you swipe right

Evan Moore
·3 min read

Valentine’s Day, a holiday when people show affection for loved ones through flowers, chocolate, stuffed animals and fancy dinners, is quickly approaching.

Others may be inclined to meet up with someone they recently met on a dating app.

Last year, more than 25 million people used dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and Grindr to find a match, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

Dating apps have come under scrutiny recently after Lauren Smith-Fields, 23, was found dead in her Connecticut apartment after a Bumble date on Dec. 12.

Critics of Bumble say the company does not do enough to protect users from dangerous individuals. Bumble – along with most other dating apps – does not conduct background checks on their users, leaving the door open for criminals to interact freely with others.

In 10% of the incidents, dating platforms matched their users with someone who had been accused or convicted of sexual assault at least once, a ProPublica analysis found.

What to do when chatting online

When you’re using a dating app, it can be hard to gather enough information on a stranger and figure out if they’re legitimately safe to meet.

Here are some tips to stay safe online:

  • Use different photos for your dating profile: If you use the same pictures that are displayed on your Facebook page or Instagram account, other users may be able to find you on social media using reverse image search tools.

  • Check out your potential date on social media: If you know your matches full name or social media handles, look them up and make sure they aren’t “catfishing” or deceiving you.

  • Block and report any suspicious users: Examples of suspicious activity include asking for financial assistance in any way, pressuring you to provide your phone number or talk outside of the app, and sending harassing messages.

  • Wait to share personal information: Never give someone you have never met in person your personal information, including your work or home address, bank information and social security number.

What to do when meeting in person

Meeting someone for the first time can be awkward. Restaurant staff in Charlotte see first dates every night, and they can play an important role in making sure the dates go well.

If you decide to set a date with someone you met on an app, there are steps you can take in case the rendezvous goes south:

  • Tell a friend or family member where you’re going, or share your location with them so they can check on you throughout the day.

  • Meet in a public place, and avoid meeting in parks and other isolated locations for first dates.

  • Don’t rely on your date for transportation. Have a rideshare app downloaded on your phone so you can get home safely in case your date doesn’t work out.

  • Get the attention of a bartender or waiter if you find yourself in an uncomfortable setting. You can also ask for an Angel Shot, a code to let staff know you need help or are in a difficult situation.

  • Consider carrying a self-defense tool. If it makes you feel safer, you may want to carry a Taser, pepper spray or a knife to use in a worst-case scenario.