Gone are the days when dating and finding true love was simple. Well, never really simple, but you didn’t find your true love on the other side of a computer screen. Today, there are many different ways to find someone to date from speed dating to dating sites such as E-Harmony and FarmersOnly, to dating apps such as Tinder and Bumble.
There is even a hater dating app that links you according to your dislikes. While the thought of dating over a computer or through your smartphone may be repugnant to some, it has really taken off over the last few years and become extremely popular. Below you can find some of the ways people date in the 21st century and tips for staying safe while doing it.
Dating Sites and Apps
There are dating sites and dating apps popping up all over the internet and people are jumping on them. All you have to do is create a profile and be matched with the man or woman of your dreams, they say.
Speed Dating
Speed dating is a great concept that lets you meet prospective dates at a central location. It seems safe, as you are around other people and you aren’t stuck on a date for hours with someone you are truly bored to death with. The idea is to meet dates for a few minutes and then move onto the next candidate until you find someone you click with. It’s one of the great marvels in dating for the 21st century and seems to work well.
Safety Tips for 21st Century Dating
With a new way of dating comes the inevitable dangers that go along with it. Not only do you have to worry about normal safety concerns during dating, you have to worry about what is being shown and said to you on the internet being true. Read on below for some safety tips to help you on your first date and with other health concerns as well.
Avoiding STDs
STDs, sexually transmitted diseases, have been around since the beginning of time. However, in the 21st century, you need to be more aware of them than ever. From using condoms to abstinence until you meet your true love and know him well, there are many, many ways to avoid STDs.
One of the key ways to ensure that you are avoiding or have no STDs is using STD testing and treatment on a regular basis. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of getting an STD, so don’t think you are immune. Choosing your partners carefully and ensuring you both are tested is a step in the right direction.
Going out with someone you have never met would have seemed insane only a century ago, now with the advent of the internet, it’s commonplace and the way many dates are conducted. However, this means ramping up the safety even more than in the past. Following the safety tips below for 21st century dating should help you quite a bit.
Always Meet in Public
That first date is super important, no matter what century you are living in. However, since you have never met this person before, you need to be extra careful. Always meet in a public place and never invite someone you don’t know to your home.
Inform Someone Where You Will Be
Never go on a date without letting someone know where you are going to be. Whether it’s your sister, best friend, or your mom, tell someone where you are going to be, when you’re leaving, and when you should be back home. That way if you don’t show up at a certain time, your friends and family know where to start looking.
These are just a few ways of dating in the 21st century and a few safety tips to get you going. Have fun in the new age of dating, but please be safe at the same time!