Safe Online Dating Strategies

Exercise Caution in Your Internet Dating Adventures

By Pam, published Feb 28, 2007
Published Content: 55  Total Views: 52,025  Favorited By: 15 CPs
Rating: 4.0 of 5
Fifteen years ago, I had a co-worker who took out a singles ad in a local paper. She was in her mid-30's and had recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend, and wasn't sure of the best way to go about re-entering the dating scene. Along the way in her dating adventures, she met an ex-con, an artist who was more interested in what she was wearing than in her, and a guy who could talk of nothing but himself.

At the time, I thought she was both brave and crazy. I couldn't imagine meeting up with total strangers who had responded to a few lines from a newspaper ad. But many years later, when I myself was suddenly single, I turned to online dating.

In today's world, meeting online is an increasingly common and acceptable method of dating. Gone are the days when someone would look at you sideways and say "but you don't look like a geek" if you explained that you'd met your date or significant other on the internet.

That doesn't mean that internet dating is always safe. I personally met my boyfriend as well as several platonic friends online. A close friend of mine from college met the girl he married through Match.com. On the flip side, I know quite a few singles who met people who turned out to be vastly different in person from their online personas. I've had friends fall for fantasies woven online. Worst of all, I've read tales of people of both sexes being stalked by someone they met online, including a local case where a woman was murdered by a man she met on a social networking site.

As scary as these outcomes are, the reality is they can happen with any type of dating. People find their lives turned upside down by men and women they meet at the store, the bar, or through a work conference too. You have to be mindful of risks and aware when things aren't quite right, regardless of how you've met someone. If you choose to venture into online dating, there are extra precautions you can take to protect yourself.

1. Look for Warning Signs Well Before You Meet

Did You Know?
Internet dating can be an exciting and fun way to meet others. It can also put you in danger. Exercise caution to avoid those who wish to take advantage of you or worse.
Comments
Showing Comment 1 of 1
 
 
My dad has always said that his greatest fear is dying alone. He has been divorced for almost twenty years now and he is getting closer to sixty as we speak. He has often thought about doing this and has asked me on more than one occasion as too what I thought about about it. Thank you for doing such a wonderful job on this article. I am going to email it to him so that he can deceide for himself.

Posted on 02/28/2007 at 2:02:00 PM

Type in Your Comments Below
Your name:

Submit your own content on this or any topic. Get started »
Showing Comment 1 of 1
 
Most Commented On