Everyone seems to be trying online dating but is it safe?
Generally the answer is yes but you must treat it with as much caution as you would meeting someone anywhere else. If you met someone on the street you would probably not arrange to meet them somewhere isolated before you got to know them right? Apply the same common sense to dating online and you should be fine.
Common safety features you should look for
Most dating sites offer safety features including a block member feature and a way of reporting members who are becoming a pest of concerning you. If your current site doesn't offer these features its probably time to consider changing. Some free dating sites are slower to respond to concerns or to adopt extra security features, its wise to invest a little and go for one of the more well known dating sites with dedicated customer support. They will often take your privacy more seriously and react quicker to problem members. Time wasters and nusance members are often put off by monthly subscriptions so you are less likely to encounter issues.
Staying safe
Treat online dating with the same caution you would aywhere else. Take time to get to know a person before arranging to meet up. Initially keep your correspondence to IM and email. If communicating outside of the dating sites built in messaging system take some time to set up a generic email account with a free provider like gmail or hotmail. This way you can set up an address that doesnt contain personal information such as your full name which could be used by a malicious member to find out more detailed information on you. Only once you are comfortable with the person you are communicationg with should you give out more information. Possibly a phone number, have a few conversations over the phone or Skype before arranging to meet in person.
Meeting up
Once you have decide you would like to meet up, try to arrange to meet in a public place, ideally during the day and where possible let a friend or family member know where you are going and when you expect to be back. If you have any doubts about your date when you finally meet, trust your instincts and if you feel you need to, make an excuse and leave or pre arrange for a friend to call you at a set time which will give you an option to make an excuse about a 'minor emergency' you must attend to if the date is not going as you planned or you feel unsafe.
Adult dating sites are a bit of an exception to the rule. Most members of these sites are looking for casual flings and no strings sex so they dont expect to spend too much time getting to know a member. If this is what you are looking for a bit more caution should be applied. Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you will be back. If possible arrange to meet somewhere neutral like a hotel.
Online dating is great way to meet new people, just remember that like in life some people are not as honest as you would like to believe. If you have any doubts, move on. There are plenty more fish in the sea!
We are constantly updating this section so please check back for more dating tips and safety advice soon.