Have you ever Googled someone before meeting them? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, there’s a name for it: Social media stalking is the act of researching a person online before you meet them in person. It’s become increasingly common in the internet age.
While there’s nothing wrong with doing a little research before meeting someone new, it’s important to be aware of the line between harmless curiosity and unhealthy obsession. Keep reading to learn more.
What is social media stalking?
s stated above, the definition of social media stalking is the act of researching someone online before you meet them. This can be by searching for their first name and last name on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or by using a free person lookup tool. Digging into someone’s social media profiles can give you a sneak peek into their personal lives to help figure out if they are someone that you would like to meet in person.
Generally speaking, and despite its somewhat problematic moniker, social media stalking is seen as a positive thing. It allows people to get to know each other better before meeting in person and helps reduce the chances of being blindsided or disappointed by information during your date.
In addition to checking out someone’s social profiles, you can also use a people search engine to get basic information such as their date of birth, current address, and possible relatives. A people search can also help you find any profiles you may have missed.
What can you learn about someone online?
There are a few things you can learn about someone by doing some online research before meeting them in person. For one, you can get a sense of their interests and what they care about. This can be done by looking at their profiles or by reading articles they’ve written.
Additionally, you can get an idea of their personality by looking at how they present themselves online. For example, do they have a lot of selfies, or do they mostly share other people’s content? While social platforms don’t always provide the most accurate information about someone’s personality, you can get a better sense of their general vibe.
Finally, you can also get an idea of their professional background by looking at their LinkedIn profile. Professional profiles can tell you about someone’s employment history and educational background.
What are the drawbacks to researching people online?
There are a few drawbacks to researching someone online before you meet in person. The first is that you can’t always trust what you find online. Someone may have a different persona online than they do in real life, or they may be misrepresenting themselves entirely. You may also come across information that is outdated or inaccurate. You may find out things about a person that they do not want you to know. For example, you may find out that they are married or in a relationship. It’s better to know a certain informed nation sooner rather than later, but it can be painful to learn that someone you’re interested in dating is already taken.
Another drawback is that you may find out the person has a criminal record. Not everyone with a criminal history has been convicted of a felony, but you could find out the person is on a list of sex offenders. This is valuable information to have, but it can be distressing to learn about it.
Overall, social media stalking is a great way to get to know someone before you meet them. By researching someone online, you can get an idea of their interests, their friends, and what they’re like. This can help you decide if you want to meet them in person or not.
