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Online Dating Safety Tips before the Meeting
There are a few precautions that every woman should take before scheduling a meeting with her cyber Prince Charming.
Take it Slow
There’s no reason to meet someone after one conversation on Yahoo Messenger. The Internet is going to be there tomorrow, so it’s ok to take some time getting to know the person before setting up a meeting. This will not only protect you from predators; it will also help avoid guys who just want a quick sexual encounter.
Keep some Information to Yourself
It’s important to keep your private information, well, private. If using an online dating site, it’s best to use their internal messaging system so your potential future ex-husband doesn’t have your email. Our Norristown personal injury lawyer, Joe McMahon suggests when it comes time to talk on the phone, get his phone number and block yours just to be on the safe side. It may seem overbearing, but you’ll thank me when you’re not a lampshade in someone’s living room.
Check him out Online
The Internet is an amazing tool that gives us the ability to look up nearly anything. Sure, you can’t find a person’s entire background on the net, but it can’t hurt to check the sexual offender registry in your state. It’s true that some men get railroaded by the justice system and labeled as offenders after minor incidents, but it’s far better to error on the side of safety.
Safety Tips for the First Date
So Mr. Perfect has swayed you into a one-on-one meeting. There are definitely a few safety tips to keep in mind at this point.
Meet in Public
Meeting in public the first few dates is very important. It definitely adds a measure of safety, and besides, why does he want you alone at his house in the first place? Think about it.
Leave Information with a Friend
You should always let a friend or family member know who you are going to meet, what you plan on doing, the phone number of your date and when you plan on returning home. This will ensure that loved ones have an idea if your virtual beau goes Fatal Attraction on you.
Set up a Safety Check Call
Tell a friend to call you or that you will call them at a certain time. This will let your loved ones know that you’re safe while also showing your date that you have backup. Since our daddies no longer chauffeur our dates, a quick phone communication is a close second best.
Use your Intuition
If your date seems a bit strange or overbearing, just end the date and go about your day or night. Try not to drive straight home in case he really is crazy and decides to follow you. If it turns out that you’re just so awesome that he feels the need to keep contacting you, it’s even possible to get a restraining order. Hopefully it will never come to that, but just stay prepared.
Online dating is a great new tool in the search for the love of our lives. We are no longer restricted to people we happen to come across in our day-to-day lives or our best friend’s co-worker who has a “really funny” sense of humor. Around twenty percent of relationships start as a result of online dating, so the practice isn’t just for losers anymore. Just keep in mind that there are bad people out there, so it’s better to be safe than on a missing poster.
Bianca Ochoa is a freelance writer who writes about relationship and dating topics to help other women safely navigate the dating scene. She is also a contributing author for the law firm of McMahon, McMahon & Lentz. If you are a woman who's been a victim of cyber harassment, the Norristown personal injury lawyer suggests reporting the case to local authorities and seeking legal counsel.
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