Do’s and Don’ts of Safe Online Dating

Online dating is common and very popular these days. Everyone is doing it or knows someone who has. Although you hear some bad stories and stories that melt your heart, there are so many more positive outcomes to online dating. There are ways for you to meet online, avoid being part of a horror story, and protect your safety and your heart. Here are some ideas to get you started on the right path to safe online dating.

Do: Be picky

It's important that you know what you want before you start online dating. What kind of a person are you looking for? Do you mind if they have children? Do you want someone athletic? When you come up with your list of things you want and don't want, weeding out the appropriate choices will be much easier. When you don't know what you want, things get messy. It's okay to be picky. Even if you meet someone nice and you like them, if you can't see yourself with someone with children, and they in fact have children, it's important that you stick to your guns. We all have preferences, so don't feel guilty about what you want and what you don't. Occasionally you'll run into someone whose profile says one thing, but will appear to adapt to whatever you are looking for. These are the people you want to stay away from because they are not honest about who they are.

Don't: Meet someone who won't share a photo

While looks may not matter to you, it's important to see a photo of the person you are going to meet beforehand. You want to know who you are looking for, first of all. Also, many people say that looks don't matter, but we all have our preferences, just like with personality and activity type. Liking certain physical characteristics is not a bad thing. We're not all alike. It's definitely possible that liking a person so much makes up for the fact that you might not find them as attractive as you'd hope. Don't forget to share your photo also.

Do: Speak on the phone

If you're planning to meet someone in person it's a good idea to speak to them on the phone. It's kind of the middle point between online conversations and meeting in person. If you are a woman the safest way to go about this is to have the man give you his number and for you to call him. You can even block your number if you want to keep it private until after you chat. Talking on the phone gives you the chance to see if you connect with the person having a real life conversation or if it falls flat. Also be conscience of the times you are asked to call at. If you can only call this person at work, there is a good chance s/he is married or living with someone.

Don't: Meet in person without telling someone

This is maybe the most important rule of online dating there will ever be. Always tell someone when you are meeting someone you've met online. In fact, if you can take someone along for the meeting that would be ideal, but it's understandable that people don't want to do that. There is no reason to be embarrassed about meeting someone that you met online. People do it every day. Never go to a meeting without telling a friend or family member. Give them the name of your date, their address (even if you aren't going there), and their phone number.

Do: Meet in a public place

Never, ever meet someone at their home. You want to be on neutral ground when you meet in person for the first time. The neutral ground should be in public, not someplace secluded like a park. Other people, even if you don't know them, need to be around. Never accept the excuse that one will be more comfortable if it were just the two of you. There is absolutely no reason to be completely alone during a first meeting, so don't feel pressured into doing it.

Online dating can be a great way to meet new people. As long as you have rules that you follow, the chances of everything ending well is increased. Don't let anyone talk you out of your safety precautions.