This came up in a group chat recently and I realized nobody had a good answer. Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when you're still getting to know someone new.
The newer personality-based matching apps are a breath of fresh air for people who hate photo-first swiping. Military dating apps have strong verification processes which leads to a cleaner user experience overall.
Safety stuff I try to keep in mind:
- Photo verification features are one of the most useful safety tools any dating app can offer.
- Separate email addresses for dating activity is just good digital hygiene at this point.
- Trust your gut completely. If something feels wrong before a meet, cancel without guilt or explanation.
- Screen recording during video chats is a real concern — keep personal identifying details off screen.