10 Tips For Online Safety
Take it slow
While dating over the net , watch out for the one that seems too good to be true. Start by using emails to get to know each other. Keep a close eye out for anything a bit odd to you , like their behaviour , the times they are available and really “listen” to their words , would you carry on if they were in front of you ?? Trust your instincts , your gut feeling is usually right , if you feel uncomfortable in any way then walk away for your own safety and protection.
Guard Your Anonymity
Never include your last name, real email address, personal web space, home address, phone number, place of work or anything else that gives them any other clear evidence of your identity in the first initial emails/contact with a member. If someone tries to pressure or trick you into revealing this information then end the conversation immediately and forget them. Take as long as you need to become comfortable with someone, go at your own pace and be selective in who you choose to share the real you with.
Exercise Caution & Common Sense
Careful, well-thought decisions generally lead to better results in dating, and this is certainly true with online dating too. Guard against trusting the untrustworthy. Any person you come across must earn your trust gradually, through honest, honourable behaviour. Take the time to find someone you trust and pay attention along the way. We all have a feeling when someone is lying to us , take heed and move on to someone that you fully trust. Don’t fall in love at the click of a mouse or become intimate too soon even if it is just online .
Request A Photo
A photo will give you a good idea of a persons appearance, if they refuse to show a picture of themselves then you will know something is not quite right and its time to move on . The best way of knowing someone is who they say they are is viewing them on webcam , you can see their expressions as they read what you type and also how they look when they are telling you things about themselves .
Talking By Phone
A phone call can reveal much about a persons personality. It is worth the cost of a call just to see how things go. Do not give out your home number , try your mobile to start with.
Meet When You Are Ready
The beauty of meeting and relating online is that you can gradually collect information and then make a choice whether you want to go ahead with a relationship or not. It doesn’t matter what level of intimacy you achieve online , you are never obligated to meet anyone in person. Even if you change you mind at the last minute , this is your right. Trust your own instincts. Never meet up with anyone that you have a “bad feeling about” or that has pressured you in any way.
Watch For Red Flags
Keep an eye out for any displays of anger , attempts to pressure or control you. If they act in any way that rings alarm bells to you , then forget them . Look at for demeaning remarks , disrespectful comments, indirect answers to questions you ask, refusal to speak to you on the phone after achieving a level of intimacy with you online and any information about themselves that changes each time you ask , like age , interests, marital status.
Select A Safe Meeting Place
Always let someone else know when you are going to meet someone from online . Give them the name and phone number of that person , along with the place that you have planned to meet. Provide your own transport, and meet somewhere that you know will be public and other people will be around at all times. After the date leave on your own , thank them and say goodbye.
Take Extra Caution Outside Your Area
If you are coming from another area , make all your own travel arrangements. Arrange to meet your date somewhere public and where you will feel comfortable. Always make sure a family member or friend has your plans and contact information. Carry your mobile at all times.
Get Yourself Out Of A Jam
Never do anything you are unsure of , if you feel intimidated by your date in anyway , use your best judgement and get out of there. Excuse yourself long enough to call a friend for advice, or slip out of the back door and drive away . If at anytime you feel you are in danger call the police. Its always better to be safe than sorry. Never worry or be embarrassed about your behaviour. Your safety is much more important than one persons opinion of you .
BE SAFE
TracyLouX