Dating App Horror

What started out as 'just conversations' became a worry story for one online dater.

Zynea Barney wasn’t looking for love but when Danueal Drayton kept messaging her, she decided to chat back. What stared out as casual conversations turned into texting every day, then turned to phone calls, and soon to face-to-face interactions.

Barney believed he was a normal, good guy. He wasn’t like the rest, she thought. He inquired about her goals and dreams instead of asking for body photos.

It wasn’t until Barney realized she was being kept a secret in Drayton’s life that things began to spiral out of control. It got to a point where Barney felt threatened and was abused.

"How do you even know if somebody is normal?”

What happened Barney could happen to anyone, and that is why it is extremely important for everyone to be level-headed and mindful when dating new people.

Dating apps may be the easiest, most convenient way for people meet each other but is it worth falling for somebody who isn't who they say? It is so easy to create a fake name, fake personality, fake life when you are hiding behind a screen.

To try to steer clear of these scares, follow these tips:

1. Don't get to ahead of yourself - take things slow and try to ask though-provoking questions to really learn about a potential date.

2. Background check them - I am not saying go full out undercover, but see if you have mutual friends or what their social media pages look like. It's better to get a little information before diving head first into a mystery.

3. If phone calls or face timing is not able, thing twice - if your potential date wont let you hear or see them via phone, it may be a read flag that they are hiding a true identity.

4. If you meet up, go somewhere public - you want to put yourself in a comfortable environment where other people are around just in case something takes a wrong turn.

Dating apps are able to help you find your true love, you just have to be careful using them!