If you've ever watched an episode of Catfish , you know how treacherous the texting waters can be. Texting builds an almost intimate bond that can sometimes make it harder to meet face-to-face, because now your meeting is fraught and full of high stakes. That being said, you should do some pre-date texting to check for deal-breakers, and more importantly, for safety reasons. So, the question is, how long to text before having a first date is the right amount of time? Is it better to move quickly into the first date, or should you take it slow and really get to know as much as you can about the person via text before meeting face to face? To help figure out what the "right" amount of time to text is before going on a date, I reached out to online dating experts. They explain why the timeline between digital and real life contact may be shorter than you think, and how to know when and if you're ready to take that next step.

Ever been totally stuck about what to text a guy? Or sent a text or more than one! In our cellphone-obsessed world, just a few words you write in a text message can be the difference between winning his heart and being put on his permanent ignore list. And the truth is our whole love lives can hang on a few measly words written in a text. Have a think about a time you texted a guy you really liked and got a cold, distant response. So you delete it all. And start writing again from scratch.

Navigating a new relationship can be tricky, especially when it comes time to tell your family about the new person in your life. The point at which you choose to talk about someone you're seeing depends on your family dynamic, how serious the relationship is, and your own personality. Even if you are a private person, you'll likely tell your parents eventually. But what about your extended family? With grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, how do you know when to tell your family about your relationship? If you don't talk about it, they'll probably find out through your immediate family members or your social media. Seriously, my mom doesn't even know how to copy and paste, but she has somehow figured out how to watch every single one of my Instagram stories.