TUCSON, Ariz. — A new report released this week on the safest and most dangerous states for online dating, compiled data on violent crime, cybercrime statistics, STD data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and sex education data and lists Arizona as the 6th most dangerous.
Rounding out the list of most dangerous states are;
- Alaska
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Georgia
- Nevada
The safest states are; (These states all scored low in cybercrime, violent crime, and STDs.)
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- New Hampshire
- Maine
- Utah
The authors of the report are urging caution no matter where you reside, when meeting up with potential dates through apps, or online platforms and offer suggestions such as sharing your meet-up plans with friends and family, driving yourself to and from your date, and always meeting in public.
The website onlinedatingsafetytips.org advises additional steps to take for the safest experience;
- Don't use Facebook or Instagram photos when building your dating profile.
- Get a Google phone number instead of sharing your personal phone number.
- Don't reveal who you work for before the first meeting. The same rule applies to where you live.
- Don't overdo alcohol consumption at the first meeting.
In a nutshell, be careful when meeting strangers and watch for any red flags, such as requests for money, as you get to know your new acquaintance. If you have any concerns, swipe left and check out the next fish in the sea.
