Best Apps for Dating That Prevent Catfishing

Dating should be fun. It's a process of exploration, meeting new people, and finding love. Unfortunately, things can go wrong in more ways than one. Since many match-makings have moved into the online realm, nine times out of 10, we don't get the confirmation that someone is real until we meet them in person. This leaves room for manipulation and, yes, catfishing. Say you're swiping through your fave app, and you see someone who looks straight out of Hollywood. Are they real? Or are they a fictional persona designed to waste your time - or even extract some money from you? Fortunately, nowadays, apps like Tinder have improved their safety policies and taken this sort of thing to a minimum. Still, it's always good to keep your eyes open and focus on what looks real - rather than as a product of multiple filters.

One way to tell if someone is real or not is by checking their verification status. Recently, many apps have introduced this option, nudging users to go through a process that will match their photos to their actual appearance. A blue badge or another symbol will show you that your potential date has been verified and is indeed is a living, breathing person. Apps like Badoo have gone a step further, introducing several features that will enable everyone (especially women) to feel safe when meeting new people.

Speaking of safety, it's important to know that preventive measures are not just there to avoid the typical catfish but, indeed, any sort of scam. After all, you will need to be comfortable with whoever you're meeting. This is why you should never be afraid to ask questions, figure things out at your leisure, and pay attention to potential red flags. A slower-paced platform like Bumble could be an excellent place to start. It does tend to go above and beyond to make sure it offers a safe environment - yet still keep it enjoyable and fun.