Psychologists have compiled a safety memo for online dating and first dates

It is better for users of dating services to prepare in advance for the transition from online communication to a real meeting, paying special attention to personal boundaries and a security plan. Practical recommendations were shared by Twinby and the All-Russian Helpline for Women issued a memo on safe dating.

Experts advise you to check your expectations before starting a conversation, so as not to build an image of a person based on fantasy, and also to clearly define internal boundaries — topics for conversation, a comfortable pace of rapprochement and acceptable closeness at the first meeting. Experts call "three alarms" an important security tool — individual markers by which a person can understand that a situation is causing discomfort. These signals, often based on past experiences, help you stop in time and maintain emotional balance.

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Special attention is paid to the analysis of the interlocutor's profile. Naturalness, lively photos, consistency in information and lack of pressure are signs that may indicate the safety of contact. According to psychologists, new or empty accounts, overly dramatic stories in the description, and persistent offers to switch to other messengers are alarming factors.

"When planning a first meeting, there are several key rules: give yourself time to communicate in the app without revealing personal contacts; arrange a date only in a public place, avoiding offers to meet at home or in the car; inform a trusted person about the place and time of the meeting; ensure that your phone is fully charged and geolocation tracking is possible," they shared experts.

It is also recommended to choose your own transport to and from the meeting place, monitor your drinks and do not leave them unattended.

During the date itself, the main guideline, according to experts, should be an inner sense of comfort. Pressure, obsession, or ignoring boundaries are serious signals to caution. Psychologists advise you to trust your feelings and have a well-thought-out neutral phrase that allows you to end the meeting correctly at any time.

After a date, it's important to give yourself time to analyze your own feelings, distinguishing mild alertness from anxiety. Experts emphasize that mismatching is a natural part of the dating process, not a personal setback. In case of pressure or obsession on the part of the interlocutor after the meeting, it is recommended to calmly stop communicating without entering into explanations.

On November 20, psychologist Yulia Vinokurova explained why conscious people can't find a mate. She noted that a paradigm shift is taking place in the modern world: the family has ceased to be an obligatory tradition and is becoming a conscious choice, which is associated with profound changes in public consciousness. The expert explained that today relationships are considered not as a social obligation to "get married", but as a union in which two people should become easier.

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