Meeting people online is fairly common, and can work out well for everyone.When you meet someone online for the first time, there are risks.If you're using social media or a dating app, make sure to keep your private information out of the hands of would-be criminals.If you want to meet someone you met online, keep your first few meetings public and brief and always have an escape route.
Step 1: Don't give personal information to your profiles.
anonymity is the best way to stay safe online.List where you live or go to school, but don't use your real first and last name.You don't want strangers to know a lot about you.It's a good idea to keep your location as general as possible.The city should be listed rather than the general area.Put your full address down.You can organize your friends list into groups on some websites.Privacy controls can be set so that only the people in those groups can see other people.
Step 2: Your privacy settings should be checked.
Privacy settings are designed to protect you on every social media platform.The settings allow you to control who can see what.If you don't understand how the privacy settings work, you should talk to a friend who can explain them to you.Most social media platforms allow you to see your profile in a different way than a stranger would.
Step 3: The people you meet are in the background.
Before you meet someone in person, it's a good idea to do a little online sleuthing.Even if you don't have a lot of personal information about them, you can still determine if they are deceiving you.They have a friends list.If you have any friends in common, ask them how they know each other and if they've ever met them in real life.To find out if they appear elsewhere on the internet, do an image search of them.If someone is pretending to be someone else, they may harm you.They interact with their friends and followers.You can usually tell if they know each other in person.
Step 4: Don't give away any personal information.
You don't want to tell anyone too much about yourself until you meet them face-to-face.Before you tell them your home address, phone number, or any other personally identifying information, you should get to know them a little better.This can be difficult to balance.They won't reveal any personal information if they're safe.It is difficult to look into their background, but try to respect their privacy concerns.
Step 5: Take it easy.
It's easy to give too much information about yourself when you're online, especially if you talk a lot.Don't get ahead of yourself if you keep your emotions in check.You don't want the person to know too much about you until you meet them in person at least two or three times.It's a good idea to keep conversations focused on music or movies.Don't talk too much about your life or thoughts.
Step 6: Don't let your instincts get in the way.
It can be tempting to ignore comments or behaviors that would make you cringe.Don't give this person the benefit of the doubt, as they are a stranger.Mention the person's comments if they bother you.Don't allow them to think that you're okay with something when you are not.If you don't feel comfortable talking to the person about something that's bothering you, that is a red flag and indicates that this person is not the best friend for you.
Step 7: You should choose a place where you're comfortable.
If you're worried about the person knowing where you live, you may not want to meet.You don't want to meet someone for the first time in an unfamiliar area.If you are anxious about meeting this person for the first time, you will feel more comfortable in a place where you have been before.You want a place that you don't frequent often.You do not want to run into that person again if things don't work out.If possible, meet during the day.If you're both available in the evening, choose a place that's busy at the time of your meeting.
Step 8: Talk to someone before a meeting.
Before you meet someone in person who you've met online, you want to make sure they're who they say they are.You can have a phone call or live video chat with them.If the person can't video chat with you, you can ask them to take a selfies with a sign.They aren't pulling photos off the internet.They should be able to meet you in person if you've developed a friendship to the point where you want to.It could be a red flag if they refuse or make excuses.
Step 9: You should bring a friend.
If you're really nervous about meeting the person, bring a friend along with you or organize a group date with several friends.If the person wants to get to know you, they shouldn't be put out that you want to meet in a group first.If you're meeting someone in an unfamiliar part of town, bring someone who knows the area.
Step 10: It is a good idea to avoid alcohol on your first meeting.
It's common for people of drinking age to meet at a bar or pub.Alcohol can cause you to lose control.If you decide to drink, order a drink with a low alcohol content, such as a light beer, and some water.You should drink slowly, alternating between the beer and the water.
Step 11: Ask a lot of questions.
Getting to know each other better is the point of meeting in person.If the person is more reserved in person, be prepared to ask questions to get them to open up.Referring back to a conversation you had online can make both of you more comfortable.You can link the person in front of you to conversations you had before.You might say, "I remember you telling me that you like Radiohead."Did you hear that they're playing a concert in a few months?
Step 12: You should keep your first meeting short.
For your initial meet-up, find a place that you can sit and talk for a half hour or so, but don't plan on anything longer than that.If you're not interested in the person, you don't have to spend a lot of time with them.A short meeting allows the two of you to get to know each other better and see if there is a connection in person.If someone tries to convince you to go somewhere else with them, make a commitment with another friend.Pay attention to the location if they try to invite you somewhere else.A predatory person might try to lure you to an out-of-the-way location.
Step 13: Take your personal items with you.
Don't leave your cell phone or purse unattended with the person you're meeting if you have to excuse yourself at any point.Don't give them access to your private information and treat them as a stranger.If you have a drink, be careful.You should inspect the drink for tampering when you return.
Step 14: Discuss another meeting.
If the first meeting went well, plan a second meeting.You're remaining in control of the situation by taking things slowly.It's okay to keep your second meeting around 20 to 30 minutes.Work your way up to a longer meeting.You can go for a walk or share a meal.
Step 15: Go for it.
You may have a nagging feeling that something isn't right even though the person seems fine.Don't ignore the feeling.If you don't feel safe, leave as quickly as possible.If you feel like you need to leave, do it.Go to the restroom and call a friend.You may be able to talk to someone who works at the place where you met.They may be able to help you if you explain the situation to them.
Step 16: Have an escape route.
If anything bad happens, you should have several options in mind that will allow you to get out of the situation quickly.As much as possible, rely on your own transportation.If you don't own a car, park as close to the meeting as you can.Don't go to a place where the person will not let you use their transportation.If you don't own a car or rely on public transportation, have a few options.For example, a taxi, or a ride-sharing service.
Step 17: You can get a friend to text.
Make sure that everyone knows where you're going.You can let your friend know if things aren't going well by having them check in on you during the meeting.It's a good idea to keep your phone on your person at all times, either with the ringer on or on vibrate.You can get a friend to come by and act like you ran into each other.If you can act through the situation, you should do this.
Step 18: If you see threatening behavior, report it.
If the meeting goes bad and the person turns out to be dangerous, you should report them to the local police as well as the social media platform where you first connected.You can get them banned if you report their behavior to the website or app.You have the option of blocking them so they can't contact you again.