Safety Tips: Online Dating

Online dating is like driving. You may be an honest, careful, insured driver but many people aren't. So, you have to drive defensively - and watch out for erratic and dangerous drivers.

The same is true for online cyberdating - you have to watch out for others online.

Online Dating Risks:

• Personal safety: if you decide to meet someone offline - for a date
• Having someone harass you 
• Meeting a married person pretending to be single  
• Lose money from online dating scam

Top Tips to Online Dating

• Use a reputable dating site. Read their terms and conditions. They should publish contact details and their company number. Look to see if they discus dating safety and if they have any policies about unacceptable behaviour.
• Use a paid site - it doesn't have to be expensive. If someone has to put in credit card details they are much more traceable. Criminals and predators people don't want to be traced and they don't want to pay!
  Use unidentifiable screen names; but keep it clean - you don't want the wrong type of attention.
• Protect your privacy and do not give out personal information. Don't use your real name and don't give your last name on your profile or online.
• Don't let people know exactly where you live - just tell them the county.
• Be very careful what you say in your chats. Stalkers will ask questions and piece together bits of information that they can use to find you.
• Don't use your normal email or Instant Messenger accounts. Set-up a separate account for online dating and get a free email such as GoogleMail.
• Don't use sexy or suggestive language. Flirting online can go too far. Be careful you don't give someone the wrong impression. 
• Don't rush it. Take time to get know someone. You need time to see if their behaviour is consistent and to look for warning signs. You can do this by save copies of your online dating conversations.
• Keep an open mind about who you are talking to. People may tell white lies about their looks, age, weight, height - or they can invent everything about themselves!
• Don't rely on a photo - it may be out of date or a completely different person!
• If you decide to call them, with-hold your number (eg dial 141 first).
• If you do decide to meet someone off line, take a friend and meet during the day in a public place. Always let someone know when and where you are meeting. Meet them in public several times until you are happy.
• Don't go home with anyone or take them back to your place.
• Remember your manners, if you don't want to continue to chat with someone be kind but firm - don't be horrible.
• Don't send money to someone you met online. There are people that go on to online dating sites, engage in an online romance and then ask for money using a sob story. Don't fall for it!



Last updated on February 17, 2011 by Network for Surviving Stalking