Navigating Online Dating as a Senior

Dating is often portrayed as an experience exclusive to younger people, but seniors are not immune to wanting a partner. Maybe you had a divorce, or your loved one passed away and you feel ready to move forward. If you feel ready to merge back into the dating scene but are discouraged by meeting on dating sites and apps, don’t be dismayed. While online dating is vastly different from the old school way of meeting, it can be a viable resource to find someone that will easily blend into your life. Here are some tips for navigating online dating as a senior.

Only Use Reputable Dating Sites

Using a reputable dating site is essential as there are more chances to find someone on sites that have more users. It’s recommended to only use 1-3 of these sites to not get overwhelmed with the influx of people. Some trusted dating sites include: Eharmony.com and Match.com; these two are generally the most popular for middle aged people and seniors. Online apps are also gaining traction from seniors including: Bumble and Hinge. There are also some dating sites specifically designed for seniors such as: SilverSingles and OurTime. A reputable site is not guaranteed to find you someone but it will definitely improve your odds. 

Beware of Catfishing

Catfishing is a slang term that emerged with online dating. It means that someone is faking who they are online. This could range from them lying about their age, what they do, their height, their weight, or even using fake photos of someone else on their profile. Trust your instincts if you feel something is “off.” If you feel that someone is lying to you, it’s recommended to get a second opinion from someone you trust. You could also inquire with them about doing a voice or video call. It’s possible on all the sites listed previously to block someone, so feel free to block anyone that you feel is suspicious. 

Making your profile

Making a profile may seem daunting, but it is one of the most important parts of the process. Choose your main photo as one that you find flattering of yourself. Add extra photos that showcase your hobbies or interests. For a bio, It’s recommended to keep it short and sweet, adding hobbies and what you are seeking for in a partner will help you find the best matches. There are various sites that allow you to put preferences on your profile. For example, you can say you prefer to date a person of the same religion or the same political beliefs. This can be helpful in finding someone with compatible views or experiences. 

Meeting up in person

Before going out on a date, make sure that the person you are talking to is legit. It may be easiest to do a facetime or video call before meeting to make sure of this. It’s especially important to meet up in a public space. You don’t want to put yourself at an unnecessary risk. Remember, no matter how long you’ve been chatting, this is still someone you haven’t met in person. Let someone know about your date beforehand so that they will keep an eye out for you. 

Online dating as a senior can be overwhelming if you take it too seriously at first. Remember that dating is meant to be a fun way to get to know someone. At an older age it may feel like you have extra baggage than when you were young, but this goes both ways. It doesn’t have to make dating harder, with more life experiences comes more confidence in knowing what you want. 

— Madison Calhoon