Slutty but Safe: Casual Sex in the Age of Online Dating Culture

The Cambridge Dictionary defines slut as “a woman who has sexual relationships with a lot of men without any emotional involvement”. For men who are just looking for a sex hookup, sluts are more than welcome and in increasingly high demand.

However, there’s a risky side to being a slut and to dating sluts. I may be very happy to find sluts near me on a casual dating website, but that doesn’t mean I will have a pleasant and safe experience.

If all of this prevents you from dating sluts or being slutty, we have good news for you. Below, you can find some fundamental tips that will help you enjoy online dating without restrictions, but also without risking your neck. Let’s dive straight into it!

Meet in a Public Place

Whether you’re meeting a slut or meeting a man as a slut, the golden rule of online dating is: set up your first encounter in a place where you know you’ll be safe.

Public places are perfect for this because, even if your date happens to be a catfish criminal, you’ll be surrounded by people you can reach out to in case you need any help.

If you meet someone for the first time at your place, you risk getting into all sorts of trouble. Imagine, for example, that your date happens to be a stalker; it’s not that great that he/she knows where you live, right?

Don’t Ignore the Red Flags

People who are looking for serious relationships always pay attention to red flags. On casual hookups, however, we tend to ignore these.

Being safe when dating online isn’t just about avoiding catfish and occasional scams. It’s also about identifying and steering clear of people who are potentially toxic and can make you feel bad.

That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to red flags, even if all you’re looking for is a steamy one-night stand. When you date a toxic person, even if just for a short time, you’re not risking your neck, but you may get yourself into situations that are not safe for your emotional stability.

These are some common red flags that should never be ignored:

  • Gaslighting (or any other form of manipulative behavior);
  • Jealousy (he or she is controlling on a first date);
  • Disrespecting boundaries (consent should always come first);
  • Love bombing (it’s often associated with emotional abuse).

Tell Someone About the Date

When you’re meeting someone for the first one, it’s important to let someone know what you’re up to. It’s as simple as calling a friend and saying: “Hey, I’m meeting this guy/girl in the park today at 4 PM, and I’m letting you know just in case something bad happens”.

We know this may sound somewhat exaggerated, but it can potentially save your life in case you get into a real pickle! After all, you never know for sure who’s on the other side of the screen before meeting them in real life.

Rubber Up!

Even if your slutty date goes as planned, there are still risks to consider. Sexually transmitted diseases are not exclusive to online dating, but they continue to be one of the greatest risks of casual sex in general.

The solution? Using a condom. While condom usage is colloquially associated with reduced sexual pleasure, they are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy and can greatly reduce the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

Keep in Mind Men Are at Risk Too!

When it comes to safety in online dating, women tend to be more concerned than men. This makes sense because women are often seen as more vulnerable. However, assuming that you’re safe just because you’re a man is a crass mistake that should be avoided at all costs.

In March 2025, for example, an American man was robbed after meeting a “woman” he matched with on a dating app. And no, this was not an isolated event! If you search Google News, you’ll find a lot of similar cases in which men, not women, ended up risking their lives, losing money, or getting robbed just because they didn’t play it safe.

The Bottom Line

Safety concerns shouldn’t prevent you from meeting strangers you connected with online, enjoying life, or living your “sluttly summer” to the fullest. However, if you don’t approach online dating more responsibly, you may end up in situations that can cost you time (at best) and even your own life (at worst).

With our tips to date safely, you can finally be safe without curbing your “sluttiness”. Who said being horny has to be dangerous?