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Staying Safe While
Internet
Dating
Which is more dangerous:
meeting a stranger in a bar, or meeting a stranger on the Internet? The
question is commonly the focus of public debate, but there is no
clear-cut
answer. In reality, both can be dangerous, but the Internet provides a
cloak of
deception sometimes difficult to see through.
Unfortunately, we can’t
trust everyone we meet, even though we would like to. A growing number
of
mentally disturbed individuals will use the Internet to search for
lonely and vulnerable
victims. There are safety precautions you can take to protect yourself
when
talking to and meeting individuals you originally come in contact with
through
your use of the Internet.
One of the best ways to
protect yourself is by checking your own emotions. Evaluate each and
every
conversation you participate in. Is the other person pushing for
personal
information too quickly? Does the other person want you to feel sorry
for him
for any reason? While it is perfectly acceptable to allow a person to
feel as
though they can share with you, it is not ok for you to make their
problems
your own. This vulnerability and pity will leave an open door for your
attacker
to feed into your emotions and let down your guard.
Be realistic and step back.
Stop and reassess the situation if you feel as though the person you
have met
online is too good to be true. Set personal guidelines to dictate how
long you
will talk to a potential love interest online before moving to phone
conversation or physical meetings. Never move forward with a
relationship that
makes you feel uncomfortable. You do not need to have a personal
meeting to
validate your feelings or fears; doing so will only set you up for a
potential
disaster or physically dangerous situation. End the relationship at the
e-mail
stage and move on.
Once you’ve decided to meet
an individual from the Internet in person you should prepare a new set
of
guidelines. Always meet in a public place and stay in public throughout
the
entire date. If you move from one location to another, be sure to take
your
separate vehicles and use the time alone to check in with a friend or
relative.
Make sure someone uninvolved knows where you are at all times.
Although hundreds upon
thousands of couples have met and found true love on the Internet, you
must
still exercise caution at all times. Have high standards and set strict
rules
to govern your online dating experiences. Exercising caution is the
first step
in protecting yourself, and you are definitely worth protecting.
If you enjoyed
this
article you should read:
Safety Considerations for Online Dating
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