Swipe left — immediately!
As summer approaches, singletons looking to heat up their sex lives with new love prospects are flocking to dating apps, swiping left and right to find a perfect match.
However, privacy expert Trevor Cooke at tech and lifestyle site EarthWeb warns people not to let their eagerness jade them from spotting five red flags that could reveal they’re talking to a potential stalker, reported The Mirror.
Aggressively persistent
A partner who goes after what they want can be admirable for many singles looking to settle down, especially those who love being pursued.
But once the flirtatious chase turns into aggressive persistence, it can become a concern.
“If your match messages you constantly, even after you’ve indicated that you’re busy or need space, this could indicate an unhealthy obsession,” Cooke shared. “This behavior may escalate to an incessant need for communication, making you feel overwhelmed or trapped.”
Unpredictable behavior
When a date has unpredictable mood swings, you shouldn’t take that lightly because their behavior can indicate “significant warning signs.”
Cooke confessed that if the person’s actions change drastically from affectionate to hostile — or they react disproportionately to a small issue — that can lead to “more dangerous, volatile behavior.”
Unwarranted invites
It’s no coincidence if someone you met on a dating app constantly shows up at places you go to; it’s an obvious red flag that you’re dealing with a stalker.
People must be aware that the pursuer can track your movements, which is a “clear invasion of privacy and a potential threat to your safety,” Cooke stated.
Invasive questions
One of the fundamentals of dating is getting to know someone by asking questions, but there is a way to do that without coming off as a creep.
Suppose, for instance, your date asks questions that make you uncomfortable or seem invasive, such as your daily routine, living situation, financial status or past relationships. In that case, find a way out of the conversation. They could be gathering information to manipulate you.
Controlling tendencies
A partner with controlling tendencies will demand to know your whereabouts at all times, who you’re spending your time with outside of them, and suggest how you should use your time.
“Any behavior that seeks to limit your autonomy or isolate you from friends and family is a major red flag,” the privacy expert warned.
Many of these behaviors resemble characters on popular television series like Netflix’s Penn Badgley-starring drama “You” and Scottish actor Richard Gadd’s “Baby Reindeer,” which have romanticized stalkers for their unstable behavior, attention to detail and infatuation with their partners.
