Safety tips to use in online dating

By Leah Reidenbach
lreidenbach@valenciavoice.com

Online dating is a new trend that has the overwhelming potential to be very dangerous to young women and men.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many precautions that you should take before you meet someone from the Internet in person.

When you first start talking to someone you have met online, do not share any personal
information such as your whole name, phone number, IM name, or email address until you feel comfortable doing so. If the person you meet shares this information with you, it does not oblige you to share it as well.

Online dating Web sites, such as Match. com, provides users with what is called a “double blind” system which keeps the users’ information hidden, but still usable by someone who might want to contact the user. For instance, you can receive a phone call from another user without giving away your actual phone number.

When you do decide to meet someone off-line, take as many precautions as you can and always follow your gut; if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Make sure you tell a close friend or family member where you are going and when you are expected to come back; if possible, stay in contact with this person throughout the date to keep them updated.

The first time you meet someone off-line, do it in public; never go to a residence or a hotel. On the first date, you should not give in to the temptation to go to your date’s home afterward, keep things public for a while until you are sure of the other person’s intentions.

During the date you should not drink alcohol. This can impair your decision-making ability and could result in you doing something that you might regret later.

Also make sure that you don’t leave your personal belongings unattended; this includes your purse, wallet, or even your drink. If you happen to leave your drink unattended, order a new one.

Even if online dating isn’t for you, you should still be wary of the information you put on public Web sites such as Myspace or Facebook. When using networking sites such as these, keep your friends list limited to people that you actually know.

Remember, any information you post in “bulletins” can be seen by everyone on your friends list. Keep your profile private and never put information on it such as where you go to school or where you work.

Also go through your pictures to make sure they don’t reveal personal info, such as a sports team you are on, your car or where you live.

Another measure you can take to protect yourself from online stalkers is to Google yourself. There may be unwanted information about you online that you weren’t even aware of. Search for your full name, screen names, phone number, and your address.

If you do find information on the Internet that could reveal your identity, contact the owner of the Web site to have it removed.

Staying safe on the internet can be done if you take the necessary steps. The internet opens many doors to sexual predators, but if you keep your personal information private, it makes you much less vulnerable to online stalkers.

The more information you put online about yourself, the easier it is for online stalkers to find you, making you a target for unwanted situations.