The Risks of Online Dating |
Online dating is becoming more popular everyday and the number of internet dating services continues to increase. Many people join online dating services for the chance to meet new people and start new relationships. Generally, online dating is a positive experience. Many successful matches have been made online. However, online dating does have risks, and someone who goes onto an internet dating site without being aware of these risks could end up in a difficult situation. Here are some tips to help you navigate the online dating world safely: 1. Remember that the members of an online dating site do not have to tell the truth about themselves. They may lie about their age, their gender, their marital status, their appearance and anything else. Keep an eye out for clues that may indicate that someone is lying to you. Are their stories inconsistent? Do they refuse to answer your questions directly? 2. Protect your identity. Don't give out your name, address or phone number to anyone until you know them well enough to trust them with that information. If someone presses you for more personal information than you are willing to reveal, stop communicating with them. 3. Check for signs that a potential date might have a personality problem. Do they frequently get into arguments or lose their temper? Do they always have a negative attitude? 4. If you do decide that your potential date is someone that you would like to get to know in person, be sure to meet them in a public place. Never invite them to your home on a first date. 5. Use your instincts. If you feel like something is wrong, it probably is. One more piece of advice - Many online dating services offer both free memberships and premium memberships, which require you to pay for a subscription. An online dating service may make its premium members go through a more rigid screening process than those who join for free. Some online dating services may even perform background checks on members who wish to obtain a premium subscription. So you may be better off spending the extra money for a premium subscription. |