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Online Dating Safety
Effective online dating safety strategies are not much
different from offline dating safety strategies. In either
case, you should always watch for odd behavior,
inconsistencies, suspicious behavior, or other signs that
the other person is a real jerk. Common sense is usually
your best guide, along with some basic precautions that help
protect you from danger.
Dangers of online dating
Undoubtedly, the nature of online dating does present some
unique risks and dangers that are not present in
old-fashioned offline dating. For example, if the dating
service you use is not 100% secure with a stringent privacy
possible, it may be possible for someone to access your
personal information and use it to follow you or contact you
inappropriately. It is also easier for people to
misrepresent themselves online thanks to the ease of
altering digital photos and putting false information into
profiles.
How to stay safe dating online
There are some basic steps you can take to stay safe when
dating online. They include the following:
Stay anonymous
Never put any personally identifiable information into
your profile or anywhere else on a dating site. This
prevents others from contacting you inappropriately or
tracking you down without your consent or knowledge.
Be cautious
Take your time getting to know someone online, slowly
gathering information about the other person that will help
you decide whether that person is trustworthy.
Ask for a picture
If the other person does not have a picture posted with
their profile (a red flag to start with) ask them for one.
If there is any hesitation, delay, or a series of excuses
for why that is not possible, be suspicious that the person
has something to hide.
Use the telephone
When you are ready, and if you feel the person is
trustworthy, talk on the telephone. Several short
conversations over a period of time are much better, and
safer, than one or two long conversations and a rush toward
meeting face to face.
Warning signs
There are several common warning signs that you should watch
for in order to stay safe dating online. They include:
·
Indirect or evasive answers to direct questions
·
Inconsistent information
·
Details about their life, interests, etc., that dont make
sense
·
Refusal to speak on the phone
·
Unwillingness to introduce you to friends, associates or
family members
Listen to your instincts
Have you ever just had a feeling that something is not quite
right? Most of the time your feeling is correct. The same
holds true with online dating; if your instinct tells you
something is not quite right or that someone is not quite
what they seem, chances are you are right. Listen to your
instincts and back away from anyone or anything that sets
off your warning bells.
Meeting in person
When you decide the time is right to meet someone in person,
use the same sort of caution you would on any first date.
Meet the person in a well-lit public place, and always let a
friend or relative know ahead of time where you are going
and how long you expect to be there. Do not allow the
person to pick you up at home, and have an exit strategy for
ending the date if you feel uncomfortable in any way.
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