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Internet dating safety is important as participants in some chat rooms and social sites have been stalked, kidnapped, sexually assaulted, or even killed. Protect your personal identity, let others know about your dating activities, arrange first dates in public places, and verify potential suitors’ age before agreeing to meet.
Although legitimate Internet dating services and chat rooms often provide a safe and anonymous means for singles to connect socially, there are still some concerns about Internet dating safety. Participants in some singles chat rooms and social sites have been stalked, kidnapped, sexually assaulted, or even killed by people they originally contacted online. Minors were lured to out-of-state locations by pedophiles posing as teenagers online. The same anonymity that encourages more open communication can also make law enforcement efforts more difficult.
There are several things you should know about Internet dating safety, including how to protect your personal identity, how to take precautions before meeting face-to-face, and how to spot imposters and potential criminals. Many people have met their future spouses online, so you shouldn’t think that these Internet dating safety rules are meant to discourage you from joining all chat rooms or singles websites. The main goal is to be aware of the potential dangers one might encounter while online.
An important Internet dating safety tip is to protect your personal identity, especially during the early stages of an online relationship. Avoid nicknames on the Internet that might reveal too much about you, such as a real first or last name. You should also avoid revealing the name of your hometown while chatting in a public forum. If an interested person wants to know more about your personal life, you should remain a little vague. “I live in a really small town” would be a safer answer than “Working in a library in Billings is really boring.” It wouldn’t take much searching for a stalker to find the location of all the libraries in Billings, Montana.
Another Internet dating safety tip is to let others know about your dating activities. This doesn’t mean telling your parents or siblings every detail of your love life, but someone else should know about any serious relationship on the internet. You may decide to meet face-to-face with your new online friend in a distant location, so it pays to share at least some basic information with someone you trust. Details such as an Internet nickname, chat location, real name, state and city address, or occupation can assist law enforcement if a search becomes necessary. A secret online romance can be tempting, but keeping secrets from friends and family can lead to serious complications later.
An internet dating safety tip can also apply to any form of blind or arranged dating. Whenever possible, arrange the first date in a public place. This can be especially challenging with online relationships, since participants may live in different states or even countries.
Even if you have to travel to a distant location for a first meeting, arrange your own accommodations and transportation. Unless you’re extremely comfortable with the other party, resist the urge to stay put during a real-life first meeting. You should always have an independent way to get home if the date turns sour or you feel uncomfortable.
Internet dating safety often comes down to using the same common sense you would on a real-life date. Married people have been known to pose as singles in chat rooms, so ask specific questions about a potential date’s current marital status. “Married but separated” covers a broad spectrum, so use common sense before entering an internet relationship with someone who is still legally married.
Age is another consideration for internet dating safety. Older pedophiles often lie about their age to attract preteens and teenagers. If you are a young person using the internet for dating, make sure you know the reputation of the chat room you use. Avoid open chat rooms where conversations get too sexual too quickly. Such chatters are most likely trolls for victims, not legit dating.
Before agreeing to any real-life matches, try to verify a potential suitor’s age through photographs, driver’s license information, or a reliable reference. It may sound clinical and unromantic, but your personal Internet dating safety could be at stake if you don’t ask the right questions or get the right answers.
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