How to be safe when on online dating sites

There have quite a few high profile cases recently about the dangers of online dating. Some of these cases involved men luring young girls through deception after meeting and chatting with them on sites even as high profile as MySpace.

Online dating has become extremely popular in recent years with the growth of Internet use and a host of sites that are providing such services for those looking to find love. Virtual dating differs from traditional dating in one very important aspect in that the couple do not meet in flesh and therefore it lacks the intimacy of the traditional method.

Although it may sound a misnomer, this is in fact what a lot of online dating community like about virtual dating. It allows them to get to know someone really well before meeting up with them.

The benefits of online dating

• Chat to as many people as you want. There are literally thousands and thousands of people to choose from.

• Get to chat to people from other parts of the world, which of course isn't possible as freely via traditional dating methods.

• Get to know a person well before taking things further. Some people communicate months before they meet someone they like.

Although there are well known benefits of online dating, unfortunately, it can also be hap hazardous if one is not careful.

In order to ensure online dating is fun and devoid of any potential dangers, a member should ensure they take some simple measures that, hopefully, will provide them with a great experience.

• Use a reputable online dating site. There are some sites that attract a lot of bizarre people that you might not want to mix with. On the more genuine sites, most people are genuinely on the lookout to meet someone genuine which of course ensures a better and friendlier user base.
• Read very carefully the safety guideline provided by dating sites. They have taken great care to come up with safety tips following a spate of attacks after meeting dates on such sites.

• Stay anonymous when chatting online. Avoid taking things too far too quickly.

• Don't meet someone after a brief conversation. Get to know them really well. It should be several weeks, if not months before you should consider meeting up with someone.

• Before meeting up with someone, get to know him or her really well. You could do this by getting to know the feel of their character, share photos, etc.

• Feel assured you are actually talking to the person who you feel you are talking to. This is why it is so important to chat for a long time before meeting up with someone. Ask questions of them that will impart some idea as to what the person is like and whether it is someone that you will feel comfortable with. Ask them about their hobbies and interests, etc.

Do not give your address

• Never give out your address. If, and when you feel its time to meet up, get together in a busy location where there will other people around. This is purely for the sake of safety. Its best not to meet a stranger in a very quite place even if you are confident that you know them really well. You just cannot afford to take a chance.

• Keep a cell phone with you in case of an emergency. Make sure your family members and close friends know your number in case they need to contact you in an emergency.

Tell family and friends

• Make your relatives/friends aware where you will be meeting your date and provide them with the contact details of this place.

If after having met someone and things don't feel right, move on. This is your life, if you do not like a person you will not want to take things further.