Sexual Health Week 2025: Online Dating - Tips for Navigating the Digital World

Dating apps and websites are part of everyday life now. For young people, they can feel exciting, scary, and sometimes overwhelming. Meeting people online can lead to real connections - but it’s important to know how to take steps to keep yourself safer and keep expectations realistic.

Online vs. real life

• Profiles aren’t the full picture: Photos and bios can be edited, filtered, or exaggerated. Real connection only becomes clear in person through conversation and real-life interaction.

• Chemistry is offline: Someone can be witty over text but feel totally different face-to-face. Meeting in person helps you work out what’s real.

• Pace yourself: Moving from messaging to meeting is a personal choice. Don’t feel pressured to share details or meet before you’re ready.

Safety first

• Meet in public: Always arrange first dates in busy public places.

• Tell someone: Share your plans with a friend, including who you’re meeting and where. Arrange to check in with someone at various points of the date so people know you're safe.

• Trust your gut: If something feels off, it probably is - you don’t owe anyone your time.

• Plan for protection: If the date might involve sex, have condoms and other protection ready. Using condoms reduces the risk of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and unplanned pregnancy, and talking openly about protection shows respect for yourself and your partner(s).

Mindset tips

• Don’t tie self-worth to matches: Swiping doesn’t define your value.

• Take breaks: If it feels overwhelming, log off for a while.

• Look for shared values: Not just shared interests – how someone treats others says a lot more than their hobbies.

Takeaway: Online dating can be fun, but the real test is how someone treats you offline. Protect your safety, take your time, and remember you’re in control.