englibertm
JF-Expert Member
- May 1, 2009
- 9,252
- 6,211
The lonely hearts section of the internet used to be dominated by the kind of people you move away from on the Metro. But in the past 10 years its become an easy way for busy single professionals to meet. Although the scariest thing most people encounter is a man they want to get rid of the second they get to the bar, a few are less lucky. However many privacy settings you apply, opening yourself up online means your details can be seen by anyone whos using that site. Whether its Twitter, Facebook or Match.com, if youre planning to use the internet to date, check the following safety tips.
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1.) Chat first
In theory chatting online is no different to chatting in a bar or restaurant. And whilst most people will be relatively honest in their profiles, others might be less than 100% truthful. If hes lied about his hair weight or age, its not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. But remember these sites are open to anyone, including men who are married or have histories of violence. Before you meet up with a guy youve met online make sure youve spent some time chatting. If anything seems odd or suspicious trust your gut instincts and cut him off.
2.) Tell someone where youre going
So youve just landed a date with Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome? Congratulations. Before you start choosing your outfits and trying on shoes, make sure you tell a trusted friend or family member where youre going. Even if he seems like the most wonderful man on earth, its worth erring on the side of caution.
3.) Report unwanted attention
If you ever experience harassment or unwanted attention online, report it immediately. Both dating websites and social networking sites take such allegations very seriously, so its important you let people know. You should also remove your details from your other online profiles and consider temporarily closing your Facebook account. It might not seem like a big deal, but it could escalate into something more serious.
4.) Never disclose too many personal details
Were sharing more and more about ourselves online, but its not always a good idea. Details such as your phone number, address, date of birth and current location should be kept off dating and social networking sites. Information that can be easily extracted and used to hack bank accounts or track you down. This rule applies to your online life in general, whether youre dating or not.
!
1.) Chat first
In theory chatting online is no different to chatting in a bar or restaurant. And whilst most people will be relatively honest in their profiles, others might be less than 100% truthful. If hes lied about his hair weight or age, its not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. But remember these sites are open to anyone, including men who are married or have histories of violence. Before you meet up with a guy youve met online make sure youve spent some time chatting. If anything seems odd or suspicious trust your gut instincts and cut him off.
2.) Tell someone where youre going
So youve just landed a date with Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome? Congratulations. Before you start choosing your outfits and trying on shoes, make sure you tell a trusted friend or family member where youre going. Even if he seems like the most wonderful man on earth, its worth erring on the side of caution.
3.) Report unwanted attention
If you ever experience harassment or unwanted attention online, report it immediately. Both dating websites and social networking sites take such allegations very seriously, so its important you let people know. You should also remove your details from your other online profiles and consider temporarily closing your Facebook account. It might not seem like a big deal, but it could escalate into something more serious.
4.) Never disclose too many personal details
Were sharing more and more about ourselves online, but its not always a good idea. Details such as your phone number, address, date of birth and current location should be kept off dating and social networking sites. Information that can be easily extracted and used to hack bank accounts or track you down. This rule applies to your online life in general, whether youre dating or not.
