Staying Safe If Exploring Online Relationships (16+)

If you are 16 or older and exploring romantic connections online, you are not alone — it is increasingly common. But dating apps and online relationships come with specific risks that are worth understanding. This is not about telling you what to do or not to do. It is about making sure you have the information to keep yourself safe while making your own choices.

Understanding the risks

Online dating risks for teenagers include catfishing (people pretending to be someone they are not), pressure to share intimate images, meeting someone who is not who they claimed to be, and emotional manipulation. Many dating apps have a minimum age of 18, meaning that if you are under 18 and using them, other users may assume you are older — and their intentions may reflect that assumption. Be honest about your age and be cautious about others' honesty.

Staying safe in practice

If you are talking to someone online, keep conversations on the platform rather than moving to private messaging too quickly. Never share your home address, school, or daily routine. If you decide to meet someone in person, always tell a trusted friend or family member where you are going, meet in a public place, and arrange your own transport. Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it probably is.

Recognising unhealthy patterns

A healthy online connection respects your boundaries, does not pressure you, and does not make you feel anxious or controlled. Red flags include: someone who gets angry when you do not reply quickly, who tries to isolate you from friends, who asks for intimate images early on, or who makes you feel guilty for having boundaries. You deserve to be treated with respect, and you always have the right to end a conversation or block someone.