Searching for love on the internet? Here are 5 tips for a safe internet dating experience

It seems meeting a potential love interest in Nigeria keeps changing. In the 60s and 70s, your parents will be the one to choose a partner for you, in the 80s and 90s, there was a kind of revolution against parents choosing spouses for their children; they took up the responsibility to woo whoever they are interested in with little or no parental input. In the 2000s and today’s digital age, you don’t even need to physically meet the person to start a relationship. You only need to reach out that potential love interest on social media, dating websites and even instant messaging platforms. Before you know it, you are in love. 

With the later, there are so many pitfalls with online dating as there are thousands online searching for love. If you want to get the best out of online dating, Here are tips to help you

Run a name and image search

Many people have pseudo online profiles. So, you have to be careful. Hence, prior to going ahead with online dating, you should search their name on Google. If there is little or nothing online about them on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, you should be suspicious. Today every human being have an online presence.

Reduce distance

The World Wide Web has made the world a global village whereby you can sit in your room and chat with whomever you like. So, some persons irrationally take advantage of this. Imagine you are in Nigeria and you want to date someone in Poland. Except you are a scammer or just playing around, you will not go as far as that. If you are in Lagos, reach out to someone in Lagos. This will give both of you the opportunity to meet offline.

Search for mutual friends on Facebook

You have broken the ice with someone you meet on Facebook. Regardless, you shouldn’t be carried away. You must check if both of you have mutual friends on Facebook. You can even chat up your friend to ask about them. You will get the background information you are looking for.

Check phone on Truecaller App

After exchanging phone numbers, you can search it on the Truecaller app. This app will give you a fair idea of the person like their names, email address and perhaps Facebook username. You can only do this if they have the Truecaller app on their phone.

Send your location to a friend

 If you have agreed to meet, you should take preemptive measures by sending your current location to friends or family members via BBM and WhatsApp.