Online dating can feel like a gamble. You’re trying to win big while at the same time losing most of the hands you play. After a while, it might even start to feel like the odds are stacked against you. There’s a few reasons for this.

Online dating apps allow you to talk to so many different people at once that it’s easier to be ghosted by your matches. Also, because users are hidden behind the veil of their computer screens, it’s hard to tell when people are being honest or fabricating their online personas. After all, over 53 percent of people lie on their dating profiles. Sometimes these users will lie about their career in an effort to sound more successful. Other times, they may use an older picture of themselves to look younger than they really are. 

But this isn’t even the worst of it. Scam artists and abusers will often use online dating apps to target their victims. Romance scams, for example, have been at an all-time high since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many online dating profiles have also faced backlash for not better protecting their users from physical, emotional, verbal, and financial harm.

It’s important for singles to know how to protect themselves online, but it’s more than knowing what red flags to look out for. Instead, look to the dating platforms you’re using for added peace of mind. Do you know their plan for keeping you safe? Do they have a plan at all? Before you sign up for a dating app, you should know which ones prioritize your safety above all else.

Security experts at ASecureLife conducted a study of eight of the most popular online dating platforms today to see which ones are the most secure. They compared these apps using a checklist, which included protocols such as transparent safety guidelines, a lengthy sign-up process, blocking and reporting features, and fraud prevention. The more items an app can check off, the safer it is. 

What they found is that the majority of dating apps are relatively safe. All of the most popular platforms are upfront about their approach to user safety, and they all encourage their users to reach out to them if they feel they are in any kind of danger or have been put in a compromising situation. While some apps feature more safety protocols than other apps, it’s clear that online dating platforms are continuing to work towards a better and safer future.

However, knowing what online dating apps are the safest doesn’t mean you aren’t still at risk. While these apps make it remarkably more difficult to find yourself in a dangerous situation, it’s still a possibility. To ensure that you’re protected even on these platforms, use MyLife.com to help verify the identity of whoever you’re talking to. MyLife’s Reputation Profiles can consist of all the important information you would need to know about someone, from court records to lawsuits to unfavorable social media posts, even reviews and comments written by people familiar with your potential dating match.

MyLife is a one-stop-shop to help you decide whether or not you want to continue your conversation or even go on that first date.