Tips For Safe Online Dating

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Not only is dating online something that has become popular, but it is also something that has many negative effects. There have been so many occurances of dangerous meetings, people lying about their ages, and appearances, and other unlucky acts involving online relationships. While looking up information about online dating and online relationships, I came across a list for “safe dating online”. There are 12 tips that are as follows:

1. Arrange to meet them. 
When meeting for the first time, never allow your date to pick you up from your home. In fact, your date shouldn’t even know your home address yet!

2. Meet in public places. 
For a first meeting, always meet in a public place where other people are in close proximity. You may also want to consider going out with a group of people, or a double date.

3. Go dutch by paying half of the bill. 
It’s always respectful for the man to offer to pay the bill. Unfortunately, some men ruin the gesture by expecting something in return. Therefore it may not be a bad idea for you to go dutch. Pay half the bill so that you won’t feel under any obligation to “return” the favor.

4. Remember that alcohol affects your judgment.
The biggest threat to a person’s judgment, when on a date, is alcohol. Not only does it affect your judgment, but alcohol also lessens your inhibitions. If you are drinking, keep your drink in sight at all times and don’t get so drunk that you don’t know what you are doing. Better yet, try to avoid alcohol on your first date.

5. Use your own mode of transportation. 
Provide your own transportation to your public meeting place and make sure you have more than enough gas.

6. Don’t assume that a man is safe. 
It’s important never to let your guard down when on a first date. Never assume a man is safe just because he claims to be religious or a gentleman.

7. Don’t let him know where you live. 
If you want to see him again, arrange a second date and then take it from there.

8. Avoid secluded areas. 
Remember – stay in a public place for your first date and avoid secluded areas such as parks.

9. Listen to your gut. 
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. And if you haven’t met him before, and you know at the beginning of the date that something doesn’t feel right, then leave immediately.

10. Always let someone else know where you’re going. Be sure someone knows where you are going and who you’ll be with. You might even consider arranging a time to call and check in. Or you could arrange to meet up with friends later that night.

11. Give him your cell phone number. 
It’s safer to give out a cell phone number instead of your home phone number 

12. Always remain alert. 
Even if you’re having a blast and the chemistry is great, it’s a good idea to remain alert the whole evening. Make sure you have a cell phone on you.

It’s so scary that we can’t even trust people anymore that there are lists like this. If you have the courage to date online, you should be aware of the consequences. Also, these rules apply to normal dating, just because you met someone once, doesn’t mean you know them entirely. Back before the age of the internet, especially internet 2.0, people were able to trust one another and didn’t even have the option to date online. Is dating online a safe alternative to dating in the real world? Do you think that it is just as effective? Would you agree with these dating tips and possible add any more of your own? Why do you think that it has come to the point where there are pointers like this, more importantly, that we agree with?

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