Online dating is becoming more common and is evolving all the time. Online dating is changing with mobile applications like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, that make finding matches simpler and quicker than ever before. Indeed, online dating has grown in popularity to the point that, according to Match.com, 53% of singles have hopped on board and developed their own profiles. However, while dating is common, it is important to remember to stay safe when meeting up with someone you do not know. A top priority should always be safe dating. Users on dating apps are not subjected to criminal background checks, so it is up to you to decide whether or not you are comfortable meeting up with someone.
Bumble.com usage statistics
Bumble has reached 100 million users in 2020, making it Tinder’s main rival for a target audience of under 35 year olds. Bumble made $240 in sales in 2019 and has exceeded its revenue operating pace for the last two years. Bumble also introduced BFFs, a friendship matching system, in addition to the dating app. Bumble Bizz, another extension, is a professional networking platform, that combines elements of dating and LinkedIn.
Currently, Bumble has 42 million users, with 1.2 million of them paying for premium services. It has the largest proportion of users between the ages of 18 and 29.
Risks of online dating
- Personal protection when meeting someone you met online
- Stalking and harassment
- Fraud
- People pretending to be someone they are not
- Spam, sale fraud, romance fraud
- Webcam blackmail
- Phishing emails requesting personal information
- If you do not use a security connection when making transfers, your money may be stolen.
How to stay safe on Bumble.com?
Bumble has created a community guidelines page to ensure that all its users uphold its values of kindness, respect and equality. The team at Bumble is dedicated to enabling constructive and safer online interactions. They hold each other accountable, and are determined to take action on any rule-breakers. It is strongly encouraged that users, when meeting new people, should be encouraged to make sound decisions and take precautions. Below are a few tips to stay safe while making connections on Bumble:
Some people like to keep it a little mysterious before a date, but it is never a bad idea to do some research before meeting someone new in person. Are they hiding any secrets that may affect your future together? Is it possible they may not have shared important details with you? It is never a bad idea to be aware of these issues early on.
No one wishes to be a victim of catfishing. So if you are planning on meeting a match in person, and they do not have the blue checkmark, ask them to get verified before you meet up. It is a very quick and easy and takes less than a minute.
Scheduling a video chat or voice call will help you confirm that you are on the same page and that you are both ready to go forward with each other in a face-to-face meeting.
It is more fun to go somewhere you both have not been before. The options are endless, and most importantly, safer. Meeting in a public place often allows you to get the assistance of the employees or waiters if you need help. It is perfectly acceptable to put your safety first if anything does not feel right. You can get the help of a waiter or bouncer if needed.
Tell somebody where you are going, who you are seeing, and when you will get back, whether it is your mother, your roommate or your friends. You can also forward a screenshot of your date’s profile if it helps you feel more at ease. You can even share your location with your trusted friends, temporarily.
The safety of the community is a top priority at Bumble. They have implemented a number of measures and programmes to help keep its users safe and secure when using Bumble Date, Bizz and BFF in the last five years that they have launched. These features include:
- A ban on firearms and other weapons of abuse in profile pictures.
- A ban on hate speech
- The option to video chat and voice call within the app so you can meet new people without revealing your phone number or email.
- Picture authentication to ensure that the possible match is not a fraud.
- A ‘Private Detector’ functionality that blurs pornographic images instantly so you choose whether you want to see nudes or not.
Member of the community should exercise caution when choosing what personal data to use in their profiles. Another way to keep yourself safe on Bumble is tpo exclude pictures of you in a particular place you visit often. Do not be hesitant to use the app’s ‘Block & Report’ feature. Bumble’s team of moderators is on duty 24 hours to keep spam, false accounts, and anybody who breaches the community guidelines, out. A reported person would never know who flagged their account, as all reports are kept anonymous and entirely private.
Additional tips:
- Ask your match to be verified using the photo verification tool before meeting with your match.
- Using the app’s video chat or voice call functionality to see your date without giving out your phone number or email address.
- If you wish to meet your match, do so in a public place.
- Tell someone close to you, your date’s name, where you are heading, and when you will return.
- Do not hand out your personal details straight away. Do not give out personal information like your home or workplace address right away.
- Feel free to respectfully end the date at any time. If you do not feel at ease, it is important that you prioritise yourself.
Meeting a new person should not be intimidating, and a little planning will go a long way toward making you feel more at ease. It all comes down to treating people with respect and dignity. Remember to respect the other person’s time, space, privacy , and to remember that you are entitled to the same courtesy from the people you meet. You are not responsible for the predatory actions of others, so you should feel encouraged to defend yourself, and escape circumstances that make you feel vulnerable or insecure. In general, be careful when meeting people online, and if you are unsure about someone, do not meet up with them. You never know what kind of person they are, but by using the guidelines above, you will feel a little more secure. Although women may seem to be the only ones at risk, men should still be careful when it comes to online dating. Keep your well-being and safety in mind at all times. These tips will help you not only on your first date, but also on any subsequent dates when you look for your “special person”. Keep the suggestions above in mind to ensure that you and your date are at ease, and then have fun meeting new friends, enjoying delicious food, and exploring the city.
Sources: