Dating is not an easy affair especially for those who are shy. The online dating platform provides an opportunity for such people to find their mates. However, the online dating platform can turn out to be very dangerous since you will never know whom you are chatting with since they can easily hide who they are behind their profiles. There have been cases of people falling victims of serial killers or rapists by meeting people from such sites. It is good to get someone, but it is better to be safe. Here are some of the tips on how to date online safely.
Protect your identity
One should never use their real name on the dating sites. It is better to use an alias which also should not be similar to your real name. In addition to that, do not post your home address or telephone number. If an address is necessary then it is safer to use the post office box number. One should also not use their real email address since it may be hacked into or traced where it came from. After some time of chatting and knowing about them then one can now share their photos or phone numbers. It is important to ensure that whatever photos they send are the most recent.
Reputable sites
The other tip is finding a site that is reputable, and people have success stories from it. It should have been in existence for long. The site should also have the safety of members in mind as the use of the telephone service on the site which does not show either of your numbers. It should also have good reviews from people and also weigh on the bad reviews to see whether it is something that can be overlooked.
Do not rush
One should take their time to know more about someone on the other end of their profile. This includes asking very many questions about the potential partner. One should also ask about their past relationship to know what happened so that they broke up and for how long that has been. One should observe how the person answers the questions and determine what kind of person they are. It will always show in their tone of answering. Also, watch out for a person who may insist on meeting you quickly. Asking these questions enable you to build the image of that other person without seeing them. In case you are not sure or your gut feeling tells you otherwise then it is proper to block their chats until further notice.
Keep your records properly
This applies to cases which will necessitate the involvement of law enforcers. For one to build up a case for cyber stalking, then evidence for that is crucial.
Meet in public
When one is sure that they feel safe meeting with that person, then they should meet at a public place full of everyone’s glare. Refuse any offers to move to a secluded place. If possible bring a friend along to watch you from a distance to ensure you are safe.
