What Serial Killers Can Teach Us About Online Dating
And why it sucks that we need to take this into consideration
According to a recent study done by online dating platform eHarmony, it’s estimated that by 2040, 70% of us will have met our significant other online. So much of our lives are hosted on the internet and seems as though it’s impossible to meet your true love organically anymore. Throw in the rise of social media platforms and the fact that you can do a quick Google search and find out someone’s last name, star sign, and dog’s age (in dog years), and you’ve got serial-killer creepy.
I’ll admit it, dating someone is scary stuff. If you’re not one of those people lucky enough to fall in love with your best friend, meeting up with a total stranger can be very unsettling. So how does one go about finding love in the 21st century?
With TV shows such as You or Dirty John becoming so popular on social media, it’s understandable that some people would be nervous to date. You wouldn’t expect that cute guy you talked to at the bookstore that one time to be stalking you on social media or breaking into your house. Who else also changed all of their social media accounts to private after finishing You? Because same (although to be fair, she should have invested in some curtains).
Unfortunately, this isn’t just happening in TV shows. I don’t know about you but it seems as though every time I turn on the News I read another story about someone just like me being murdered on a date with a stranger they met online. Only a few months ago, we were bombarded with the disappearance of Grace Millane, a 22-year-old British backpacker in New Zealand who was tragically killed by a complete stranger after going on a date with him. And 24-year-old Maulin Rathod, who died at the house of an Australian woman he had met online.
So as a true crime junkie and an avid watcher of serial killer docos, I have compiled a list of five things serial killers can teach us about dating online to make the most of the date and feel safe while we’re at it.
1. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut.
I feel like this one is pretty self-explanatory, but I thought I’d mention it anyway. You know yourself better than anyone else. If something doesn’t feel right but you can’t quite figure out what it is, trust your gut and get out of any situation that makes you feel anything less than 100% awesome.
2. Use the block button. Bye Felicia.
If someone is stalking you online or leaving creepy and uncomfortable comments, don’t be afraid to use the block button. It takes two seconds and you’re not a mean person for doing it — you’re just looking out for yourself.
3. Go to a public place if you decide to meet up with someone.
Not going to lie, hiking on a first date probably isn’t the best idea. Some good and very public places to go on first dates can include going to a theme park, ice-skating, dinner, a sports game or perhaps a local farmer’s market. It’s always best if you’re meeting up for the first time that you find your own way there, even if they offer to pick you up.
4. Tell your friends where you’re going and make sure they check on you regularly (perhaps devise a codeword if you need to be saved).
By telling your friends where you’re going, they can let someone know if you go missing. Obviously, this is the worst-case scenario and extremely unlikely, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. And better to be alive than dead.
5. If they have the technology to operate an online dating profile, they should have other social media accounts as well.
I know this isn’t always the case, but it could be a big red flag that you’re being catfished. It’s the 21st century and almost everyone has some form of online presence. If something doesn’t feel quite right, see point number 2.
And with that, I’d just like to say that obviously, not everyone you meet online is a serial killer. These rules are just so you can stay safe and have fun while you’re at it. Dress up in something that makes you feel like a 10/10 and go fall in love because you DESERVE it! We might need rules on how to stay safe while dating online, but at least we can save the true crime docos and serial killer movies for Netflix where they belong.
