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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:
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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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