Online Dating Safety Tips

In a fast paced world, where there is no time to eat, there is even less time for a personal life and love. Finding someone to whom you are attracted to takes effort and involves socializing, which most of us do not have time for, so involved are we in the rat race of our careers. At the end of a tired day all we want to do is take a soak in a tub full of bubble or watch the taped Red Sox game we missed thanks to work. So where in all this madness do we have time for socializing and finding 'the one'? This is why most of us resort to the world of online dating. We all have access to computers and the Internet at work, so why not combine work and play by indulging in dating on the Internet. All it requires is a snazzy online profile and you're good to go. However, safety comes first!

Tips to Help You Date Safely on the Internet

• Trust that Gut: All women have something called the 'sixth sense', which to put simply is a gut feeling of things right or wrong. Women who are in the online dating deal should always trust their gut. If someone is giving you a vibe that is not right, do not indulge in it. It's better to be safe than sorry right.
• Hold Back: Do not let out and give out too much personal information unless and until you are completely sure that a person is safe and that could be never. It's a scary world out there, where pornographic morphing of pictures and identity threat is just a small part of it. And let's not even start off with stalkers and murderers who could do you serious harm if they got your phone numbers or home address. Be wary.
• Indulge in Email: Yes, email is our latest best friend, it helps us to be in touch with people. But with a dating website that asks for your email address why not give an alternative email address. And while you are at it, do not give this email address with your last name. It gives you a bit of anonymity and mystery. (Wink).
• Free vs. Paid: If you are wondering what sort of online dating service to sign up with, most will tell you that a paid service is a safer bet. This is because free services have no strict screening process and allows anyone to sign up; this could be a bit of a problem. And for paid services, those who are serious about dating are going to be willing to pay the fee, which could be a little steep.
• Public Places Please: Always meet someone for the first time in a public place. No private locations like homes or out of the way or unheard of restaurants. If the person asks to meet in a private place, start wondering what is the harm in being seen in public. And try to go on double date if possible as there is safety in numbers.

Just remember to have fun and be safe at the end of it all, and most importantly trust that gut!