Confidentiality: Do not disclose any personal information about yourself in your profile before you know each other, such as your real name, phone number, address, school, birthday, etc. It's a good idea to protect your identity with a nickname as username.
Stay anonymous: Avoid linking to any social media account that exposes your identity. You may want to use a different avatar for each of your social media accounts. This will make it harder for strangers to find you.
Self-education: If you are interested in online dating, it is a good idea to understand online sexual exploitation and sexual texting, consent and law. It is important to report it to the customer service if you meet someone online to blackmail you, send you pornography or do other things you don't like. Believe in your instincts. Some behaviors may be illegal.
Block, report, mismatch: Anything that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable is not acceptable. You can block the person, so they won't contact you anymore. You can also report this person to the customer service you are using so they can handle this behavior. You can find steps to block or report someone on the hookup apps. If you don't want to continue chatting with someone, you can un-match them, so they won't appear. Remember, you don't need to give this person a reason to be blocked, reported, or un-matched.
Pay attention to identity fraud: Remember, not every friend finer you meet online is what they claim to be. Don't disclose your financial information, or give money to anyone you don't know, even if they ask for it. Based on the information you have, do some background checks on your opponents to see if they are the ones they say.
Learn about spam, viruses, and robots: Avoid opening emails or attachments from senders you don't recognize. They may contain spam or viruses. Don't accept requests from strangers on your personal social media account. Identify robots and unsafe content to make sure you are talking to a real person.
Plan ahead: If you want to meet with your other half, schedule a date in a public place so that when you need help, someone will be around. Be sure to tell your friends where you are going, who you want to see, and when. It’s a good idea to monitor your diet, make appointments with friends, and plan your way home safely in advance. Take your mobile phone with you and write down the phone numbers for emergency. Remember, you don't have to see anyone until you are ready.