Alan Lim

How To Stay Safe when Online Dating

Online dating can be a very fun and exciting way of meeting that special someone. However, one's safety issue should come first when dating online.

Some online dating services do not pre-screen their users. As a result, one cannot ensure that the people you meet through their sites are safe enough to be dealt with. Hence, you are the one who call the shots when it comes to screening them in online dating.

Below  are a few tips to make dating online more fun and less risky

1. Advantage of being in Anonymity

Do not give your  phone number, place of work, personal web site URL, home address, or any other information that identifies you in your profile on the  first few emails that you exchange with other members as this will  make you an easy victim. Turn off any signature file, or  any identifying information, when sending emails to a member through your own email during online dating.

2. Request for a photo

Request for a picture in order to give you an idea of the person's look, thus make you a tad safer,. A scanned photo won't cost so much, so not much alibi can be given for not doing it.

3. Trust on your Common Sense

Do not trust your online acquaintances easily as it can make you an easy bait. If your feeling says  that he/she is lying, there's a big chance that he/she is actually lying. Then, don't go justifying his/her acts. Get acquainted with someone that deserves your trust. Don’t indulge yourself in online intimacy as it can be very dangerous. Logical thinking will save you a lot of trouble during online dating.

4. Do not use your personal phone

When calling your online date for the first few times, use a cell phone or a pay phone instead of using you home line. Unless you are absolutely comfortable with the person you are calling, don't give your home phone number at once when dating online.

5. Do not hurry to meet your online date

 Take your time in getting to know the person as much as possible before agreeing to a face to face meeting. Don't feel like you are obligated to meet anyone, you still have the last say on whether you are ready to meet the person or not. You are free to change your mind if anything feels not right.

6. Be careful or else End up with a Psycho

Take note of  any signs of intense frustration, anger or any displays of aggressive behavior during online dating. Stop communication immediately, if the person is trying to control or pressure you.

Below are some other alarming manifestations of bad behavior that when spotted, you should  stop from communicating with your online friend immediately:

- giving dubious info about a age, appearance, profession, interest, marital status, etc.

- refusing to communicate with you over the phone when you have already established online intimacy

- not giving any direct answers to direct questions consistently.

- agreeing to your every statement

- asking you to provide travel arrangements

7. Offline Meeting

Tell someone reliable where you will go and when you will return before meeting your online dating friend,. Leave your date's name and phone number is a good idea. Always bring your mobile phone and do not make your online date to pick you up at home. Use your own transportation and meet in public. Don't leave your drink unattended during you date. After the date, leave on your own too.

To make online dating work, it is important that you exercise caution. Have enough time to get to know the other person, don't rush yourself or allow anyone to rush you into doing anything. It's better to be safe  than sorry when dating online. 

Article Tags: Online Dating, During Online

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