Date online responsibly

Be honest about yourself

Use recent photos of you and write what you actually want. A match built on a fake age, job or relationship status wastes both people’s time.

Say what you are looking for

If you want something casual, say so. If you want a relationship, say so. People can choose you for the right reason only if you are clear.

Respect a no

If someone does not reply, says they are not interested, or asks you to stop, stop. Do not keep messaging, do not insult them, and do not make a new account to try again.

Do not lead people on

If you are talking to several people, you do not have to hide that. If you lose interest, say so in a short message instead of disappearing after you already made plans.

Keep private things private

Do not share someone else’s photos, chat or personal details. Ask before you take the conversation off the app, and do not pressure anyone for nudes or video.

Do not swipe like a feed

Endless swiping is the dating-app version of doom scrolling. It turns people into a stream of faces and leaves you tired, not closer to anyone. Set a limit, write to matches you already have, then close the app.

Stay safe as well as kind

Being decent does not mean you skip caution. Never send money and never share bank details. Safety tips cover passwords, blocking and scams.

Take a break when it sours

If the apps make you anxious or numb, log out for a week. Dating should not be a second job.