Worried about online dating safety? Approached right, it is one of the safest, if not the safest forms of dating especially compared to random dating, blind dating or bar room dating. But that’s subject of another article. This article is about giving you tips to stay safe.
Nature has put women in a much more vulnerable position than men when it comes to safety. Therefore, these tips are mainly addressed to the ladies.
1. From the word go, never give out your personal details such as your real name, address, personal email, phone number or where you work until you’ve met and you are comfortable with the person. Never use your real name as your screen name.
2. Use a reputable dating site that has a good privacy policy posted on their site. Reputable dating sites protect your privacy, and even offer email address specifically for online dating.
3. Start slow. Don’t be pressured to meet or call the person. Ask questions (but don’t turn it into an interrogation). Begin communication by email only, and build up gradually.
4. Insist on picking the meeting place and stay away from home. Pick a place that is crowed and well lit. Avoid your favorite hang-outs as you could later be tracked from there. Don’t accept suggestions that will make you leave your safety zone (example, “let’s take a walk”).
5. Avoid alcohol. If you must drink, keep it well under control. Alcohol clouds judgment and makes one careless. Assaults have been known to be committed by seemingly “nice guys” under influence of alcohol.
6. Never leave your drink unattended. Something nasty could be slipped in. And don’t accept a drink ordered in your absence (while on visit to the ladies room, for example).
7. Ladies, never walk the man to his car or let him walk you to yours. This is danger zone. Leave in separate ways and at different times. Stay alert in case you’re being followed. Never drop your guard.
8. Trust your instincts. If you get bad vibes or something makes you uncomfortable, get out and leave. Be alert for inconsistencies and exaggerations and/or evasiveness.
9. Let a friend know of your meeting, time and the place. Give him/her a copy of your prospect’s photo, profile, and user name. Have your friend call you at designated time(s). You could also use the call as an escape if uncomfortable. No photo? Then no date. Never meet someone whose photo you don’t have.
10. When calling, block your number or use a calling card that can’t be traced back to you. You would be surprised at how much information a computer-savvy person can dig up about you with just a phone number.
Don’t let the above tips scare you from online dating. They are simply safe-guards against the (remote) chance of coming across the wrong type of person. As with almost everything else in life, approach internet dating with good judgment and good old common sense. Be safe… and have fun!
About the author:
David Kamau owns http://www.e-datecentral.com, which reviews dating sites. Find top-rated, reputable dating sites. Be e-date savvy, safe and successful: receive articles, tips and free ebooks=> http://www.e-datecentral.com/subscribe.htm
