Staying Safe When Meeting Someone

Meeting someone from a dating app for the first time is exciting. A few simple precautions can make sure it stays that way.

Before you meet

Video call first — a quick video call before meeting in person helps confirm the person is who they say they are. It also takes the edge off any first-meeting nerves.

Tell someone where you’re going — let a friend or family member know who you’re meeting, where, and roughly when you’ll be back. Share your match’s profile with them if you can.

Do a quick search — a name and a photo search takes two minutes and can tell you a lot.

Choose the right location

For a first date, always meet somewhere:

Public — a café, restaurant, or bar with other people around
Familiar to you — somewhere you know and feel comfortable
Easy to leave — avoid situations where you’re dependent on the other person for transport

Avoid going to someone’s home, or having them come to yours, until you’ve met a few times and built real trust.

Getting there and back

Arrange your own transport — drive yourself, use a taxi or ride-share, or take public transport. Don’t accept a lift from someone you’ve just met.
Keep your location to yourself — there’s no need to share your home address or exact neighbourhood early on.

During the date

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s okay to leave. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.

A simple exit: “I have an early start tomorrow, I’m going to head off” works in any situation.

After the date

Check in with the friend you told — let them know you’re home safe. If anything made you uncomfortable, consider reporting the profile in the app so our team can review it.