Be Safe When Dating Online

When someone first starts chatting with someone online, it can be fun learning new things about each other. But someone can never know for sure who they are talking to and how dangerous the other person can be or what the other person's true intent it. They can say they want to get married and have kids, when they could already be married and have lots of kids, some by women other than his wife. They can say they do not have a criminal record and be newly released from prison. We have all heard the horror stories, everything from serial killers to serial rapist s and with the invention of the internet, there are even more ways to come into contact with these monsters (example, John Robinson). Here are a few tips on staying safe:

1. Ask questions, pay close attention to the answers. Liars always trip themselves up, because keeping lies straight can be extremely hard. Plus, more than likely you are not the only one they are talking to and they cannot remember who they told what.
2. The warning signs are there, trust your instinct. If you feel something is wrong, it more than likely is, better to err on the side of caution and end the contact immediately.
3. Know what you want in a relationship before even making an account on a dating website. Know what you want and don't settle for less. If you settle for less, it is exactly what you will get.
4. Never let the person you are dating talk you into something that you know is wrong, like taking nude photos of yourself and posting them on the web or sending the photos to your "date."
5. When you meet for the first time, take a friend or have a friend near, so if you feel uncomfortable, you are not alone and can leave, but do not leave alone, leave with your friend.
6. Never answer a question that makes you feel uncomfortable, like "what are you wearing?"
7. Never take your children on a first time meeting.
8. Do not leave your drink where drugs can be slipped into it. This warning goes with ever meeting. Some guys have a lot of patience when it comes to getting what they want.
9. First meeting always takes place in a public area, never leave this location unless you know for 100% certainty that you have friends that can and will follow.
10. Let your date know your friends are in the meeting place, if he is genuine, he will not mind at all.

The best place to find a mate is not online, it is much better and safer to meet someone through a friend, gym, church, etc. However, if you are determined to use an online dating service, be safe about it, no reason to risk your safety. You may want danger, but you have a lot of family and friends who will miss you if things get too dangerous.