Meeting New People Through Dating Apps
Meeting new people through dating apps is a great way to form connections, find love, or simply enjoy new experiences. To make this journey enjoyable, fun, and safe, it’s best to follow a few simple principles.
We’ve put together some tips to help you feel secure and protect your privacy—both in online chats and during your first meeting.
Privacy and Anonymity
Privacy is the freedom to choose how and when to share personal details—and it’s the first step to a calm and safe experience:
• Don’t share overly personal details in your profile: last name, exact address, workplace, or phone number.
• Use different photos from the ones on your social media to avoid immediate identification.
• Avoid posting GPS-tagged photos or live images that could reveal your current location.
Identity Verification – Preventing Impersonation
Knowing who you’re talking to makes everything feel more secure. A few simple steps can help avoid unpleasant surprises:
• To verify the person you're chatting with, use Atraf’s “Shorts” – a feature that allows you to send or request a short live video within the chat.
• If the conversation is progressing but you still don’t feel completely safe, you can ask your match to share their social media profile. Authentic presence often indicates reliability.
• Check if the profile is new or old, and make sure the content doesn’t feel strange or suspicious. A Saudi prince or British royal is probably not a good sign :)
Safe Conversations
Before you start getting to know each other, make sure the conversation takes place in a safe and private environment:
• Start chatting within the app – it’s designed to protect your privacy. Move to external platforms only after mutual trust is built.
• Never share passwords, credit card numbers, or sensitive personal information.
• Avoid sending intimate photos at the beginning of a conversation.
• Don’t share your exact location during the early stages of getting to know someone.
• Set clear boundaries – if someone pressures you to move the conversation outside the app too quickly, that’s a red flag!
First Meeting
Want your first meeting to be enjoyable and safe? With a few right steps – it’s absolutely possible:
• Always meet in a public, well-lit, and busy place – like a café, restaurant, or central park.
• It’s better not to meet at someone’s home or invite them to yours on the first date.
• Make sure you arrive independently so you can leave whenever you feel like it.
• Avoid excessive alcohol or substances that may affect your judgment.
Share with Someone Close & Trust Your Intuition
Always trust your gut. And if you’re unsure, talk to a close friend – it always offers another perspective:
• Tell a friend or family member who you’re meeting, when, and where.
• Share your live location during the meeting to feel more secure.
• If something doesn’t feel right – just leave. Your intuition is the best way to keep yourself safe.
• Did something unpleasant happen? Report the user in the app and block them, and if needed, contact the proper authorities.
Watch Out for Scams and Manipulation
Someone is pressuring you, making demands, or asking for money? Stop right there. Here’s how to recognize warning signs and protect yourself:
• Keep exposure to a minimum – the less personal info you share, the safer you’ll be. Never post passwords, credit card info, or sensitive details.
• Be alert for scams and emotional manipulation – requests for money, intense emotional pressure, or exaggerated personal stories are major warning signs.
• Share with someone close – a friend, family member, or roommate can offer a second opinion and support your decisions.
• Set up a safety signal with someone you trust – for example, a message or call during the meeting, to ensure you can get help or leave quickly if needed.
Managing Expectations and Emotional Boundaries
To feel good about yourself and the new connection, it’s important to know what you’re looking for and set clear boundaries:
• Define your goals – are you looking for a serious relationship, a one-time experience, or just meeting new people? Knowing this helps both sides understand each other.
• Maintain personal boundaries – don’t feel obligated to share emotional or personal information too soon. Let the connection develop naturally.
• Communicate clearly and honestly – express your expectations in a respectful and kind way to avoid misunderstandings.
• Don’t rush into emotional commitment – healthy relationships develop gradually. Give yourself time to get comfortable.
• Pay attention to your feelings – if something feels wrong or uncomfortable, pause and reflect on your boundaries.
• Respect the other person’s boundaries – be sensitive to their needs and know when to stop. If your partner says no, that means no.
