Online Dating Safety Tips: Protecting Yourself from the Bad and the Ugly
- Sunday, March 14 2010 @ 07:34 pm
- Contributed by: Adrie
- Views: 2,787
As much time as you can spend talking to someone before meeting them, there’s no way to know for sure that the person you’ve agreed to meet for a date is really on the up and up. While most people you meet through online dating are genuine and harmless, the possibility of ending up with a bad apple does exist which is why you need these online dating safety tips. Remember that these tips aren’t meant to scare you or put you off of meeting people with online dating, but rather just to help you get the most out of your experience without putting yourself at risk.
Safety First
Chances are that someone you chat with online will prove themselves as date-worthy, making you want to meet them face-to-face. This is a great thing! But...you need to be smart about it and always put safety first. Enough time spent on the phone or messaging back and forth with someone can really help you get to know them so they hardly feel like a stranger when the time comes to meet, but you need to remember that until you have had some time live with the person, they are indeed still a stranger. This means using some common sense when getting together just in case this stranger ends up being a dud, a dude (who’s supposed to be a woman!) or even a serial killer! Here are the online dating safety tips that will keep you out of harm’s way:
•Never disclose your private information until you have really, truly gotten to know someone. This means your home phone number or address, place of business etc. You don’t want any dates-gone-wrong knowing where to find you once you’ve decided that you don’t want to see them again.
•Stick to meeting in public places until you’ve gotten to know each other better. Choose places like cafes, restaurants and bars and NOT parks, parking lots, or a residence.
•Always have your own ride or cab fare when meeting someone new. The last thing you want to do is get into a stranger’s car or have them get into yours. Have your own ride home arranged before you meet and be prepared to say no if they ask for a ride. You’re not being mean or rude, you’re just being safe!
•Leave if you’re feeling uncomfortable or threatened. Listen to your gut and leave if something just feels off about your date. You’re not obliged to stay anywhere that you don’t want to. Be courteous and bow out gracefully to avoid confrontation.
•Always tell someone where you’re going and if you can, who you are going with. This way someone will know to check in should you take longer than expected or not return. It may seem extreme but it’s an easy way to help keep you safe.
•Don’t think that you’re invincible. Men and women alike have the tendency of thinking that they can handle anything and anyone that comes their way and are quick to laugh off advice about online dating safety, but these tips will make your life a lot easier whether a date turns out to be truly unsavory or just someone that you have zero interest in and never want to see again.
Safety First
Chances are that someone you chat with online will prove themselves as date-worthy, making you want to meet them face-to-face. This is a great thing! But...you need to be smart about it and always put safety first. Enough time spent on the phone or messaging back and forth with someone can really help you get to know them so they hardly feel like a stranger when the time comes to meet, but you need to remember that until you have had some time live with the person, they are indeed still a stranger. This means using some common sense when getting together just in case this stranger ends up being a dud, a dude (who’s supposed to be a woman!) or even a serial killer! Here are the online dating safety tips that will keep you out of harm’s way:
•Never disclose your private information until you have really, truly gotten to know someone. This means your home phone number or address, place of business etc. You don’t want any dates-gone-wrong knowing where to find you once you’ve decided that you don’t want to see them again.
•Stick to meeting in public places until you’ve gotten to know each other better. Choose places like cafes, restaurants and bars and NOT parks, parking lots, or a residence.
•Always have your own ride or cab fare when meeting someone new. The last thing you want to do is get into a stranger’s car or have them get into yours. Have your own ride home arranged before you meet and be prepared to say no if they ask for a ride. You’re not being mean or rude, you’re just being safe!
•Leave if you’re feeling uncomfortable or threatened. Listen to your gut and leave if something just feels off about your date. You’re not obliged to stay anywhere that you don’t want to. Be courteous and bow out gracefully to avoid confrontation.
•Always tell someone where you’re going and if you can, who you are going with. This way someone will know to check in should you take longer than expected or not return. It may seem extreme but it’s an easy way to help keep you safe.
•Don’t think that you’re invincible. Men and women alike have the tendency of thinking that they can handle anything and anyone that comes their way and are quick to laugh off advice about online dating safety, but these tips will make your life a lot easier whether a date turns out to be truly unsavory or just someone that you have zero interest in and never want to see again.
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