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This Common Dating Habit Can Quickly Cross Into Stalking

Experts say a quick safety check is fair game, but digging through years of posts and personal history can cross a serious line.

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When it comes to online dating, many people feel uncomfortable meeting up with a complete stranger for drinks or dinner. To get a better understanding of who, exactly, they’re agreeing to a date with, some people conduct a “Google test,” which basically involves Googling someone before getting to know them in person.

While the Google test isn’t inherently negative—in fact, it can be positive when done for safety—it certainly can be taken a bit too far, perhaps even bordering on stalking.

But according to a dating expert, there’s a way to strike a healthy balance between ensuring your safety and overindulging in your curiosity. Let’s break it down. 

What Is the ‘Google Test’?

According to Valerie Kowalski, LMSW, Associate Therapist at Gateway to Solutions, “The ‘Google test’ in dating is searching the name of the........

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