There are lots of great reasons to meet with new people in person. Many new human connections are initiated online. We are chatting, connecting, networking, and existing in digital spaces across the digital world. Of course we are making great connections there. Naturally, those connections and opportunities will lead to in person meetups and opportunities. 

Human bodies and consciousness are designed with technology to build trust with other humans. This includes things like eye contact, chemistry, instincts, interactive hormones, history. When you are engaging with a digital identity online, some of that organic technology is not available or can be misled. 

Physical safety isn’t the only trust risk when meeting with a stranger IRL. Realistically, when people meet people IRL who they have met online often, there are many other, more likely, violations of trust, and a bigger spectrum than just physical safety. 

For example;

Time wasting. This includes being ghosted, being extremely late, being set up to meet somewhere and the person disappears (unresponsive, blocks the other party, deletes their original profile), or being sent to a fake address.  

Being a completely different person than they have represented themselves to be online. Extreme catfishing (not just a filter or good makeup). I mean using a stolen identity.

Misrepresenting the product, service, quality or conditions of the product or meetup and creating completely falsified expectations. 

Using multiple identities to trick or deceive the other person. Like setting up multiple phone numbers, identities, or channels to harass someone. 

Share in the comments below, other examples of serious trust violations that are more likely to happen when the connection has been made online. We are very interested to hear your insights and experiences. Use the contact form if you’d like to share more privately.