 Safety
Tips For Internet Dating
Here is a handy article published at AdultDateLink
which I think is important for anyone signing up for a dating
site....
Internet Dating or Online Dating is very popular these days.
Your online dating can be a fun and convenient way to meet
new people. To help keep it safe for everyone, be careful
while communicating online. Here are some tips that may help
you to be safe while online dating.
TAKE IT SLOW!
Try to take it slow. Date Link Networks is a great way to
control the pace of a conversation and relationship. It's
up to you to decide what pace you are comfortable with progressing
at. Never let someone pressure you into intimate conversation
before you feel ready. Beware of people that seem to be everything
you are looking for and more. Although there may be that special
someone in your Inbox, you should never feel pressured to
communicate with them. The great thing about online dating
is the selection process. You can review profiles, request
photos and more information as you progress. When you get
information, look for anything suspicious. If you feel like
he / she is being less than honest, trust your instincts.
drop it. That is no way to start a relationship anyway. Again,
you safety and the protection of your privacy should always
come first. If the situation makes you uncomfortable, walk
away for your own safety and protection.
GUARD YOUR ANONYMITY!
Never include your name, home address, phone number, email
address, personal, Web site URL, place of work, or any other
identifying information in your profile or initial emails
you exchange with other members. Keep your private information
private, at least until you develop some trust between you.
You should reveal your information only when you feel comfortable
about giving it out.
REQUEST A PHOTO!
Often, photos can help you get the "feel" of a person.
If their appearance is clearly not how they described themselves
and doesn't seem to match what they say, perhaps you should
shouldn't have any further communication. In fact, it's best
to view several images of this person in a variety of settings:
casual, formal, indoor, and outdoors. Beware of members who
offer excuse after excuse why they can’t provide you
with photos. To many excuses shows they are either not very
interested / motivated or they have something to hide!
PHONE CONVERSATIONS!
When you are ready to have a phone conversation, consider
some methods to keep your personal phone number private. Use
a cell phone or a caller ID and *-69 blocker. Contact your
local phone company to see what options are available to you
to maintain your privacy. Never give out your work phone number.
Only when you feel completely comfortable should you furnish
your phone number.
SO YOU’RE READY TO MEET?
Once again, we would like to point out that online dating
has a great advantage over traditional dating methods. You
are never obligated to meet anyone, regardless of your level
of online intimacy. You alone have that control. By keeping
yourself anonymous, you can request information and reply
at your leisure. You can ask the person to slow down if they
are requesting too much information right away or want to
meet you. A gradual approach is usually best. Your first meeting
is still very much an information gathering session. If you
do meet or begin talking, you always have the right to change
your mind and discontinue any contact at any time. You can
always ask to keep your communication through Date Link Networks
only. Again, this is your decision. Always go with your gut
feeling after the first encounter. If you enjoyed the time
spent together, then you decide, what is the next step?
WATCH FOR RED FLAGS!
When communicating with members watch for signs that may include
impatience, anger, jealously, rudeness, extreme fits of frustration
and attempts to control your actions or pressure you to do
things. If you experience a person acting aggressively, "stalking"
or pressuring you in any way you might want to stop contact
with this person. You should certainly be alarmed if the member
displays any of the following behavior:
- Provides you with inconsistent information about their
age, appearance, marital status, employment, interests, etc.
- If the member appears very different in person from their
online profile description and picture.
- If the user will not give you straight answers when you
ask questions in a frank and direct manner.
- Refuses to speak to you on the phone after establishing
a close online relationship or possibly even intimacy.
- If the member is reluctant to or never introduces you to
their family, friends or co-workers.
CHOOSE A SAFE PLACE TO MEET
When you are finally ready to meet offline, select a place
that you are familiar with. If possible, meet in a place where
people may know you or see you frequently. Let your friend(s)
know where you are going, and leave his / her name and phone
number with them just in case. Choose a time that is busy.
Try not to arrange late evening or early morning dates. A
mid-day meet at a coffee shop or an evening at a restaurant
is always popular. Be sure to arrange your own way there.
Another alternative is to ask a friend to drop you off and
pick you up. Never, ask your date to pick you up at you home
or work place. If you are going somewhere else after the date,
take care not to tell him or her. It's best if they didn't
have the option of showing up there later. As well as you
think you may know this person, he or she is still a stranger!
Of course, you would never get into a car with a stranger!
To summarize, put some thought into where you will be and
how you can stay safe.
Be extra careful if you are leaving your local area!!
If you will be doing some traveling to meet this special someone,
make sure you have a car and hotel room. You don't want any
situations where you may have to stay late and be asked to
stay the evening. If you do get a hotel, don't mention the
name of which hotel you will be staying at. Again, make sure
that a friend or family member knows where you will be and
who you will be with. When you get to the agreed location,
if it looks undesirable or unsafe, call your date to make
arrangements to meet at a safer place you choose. If you change
your plans be sure to let your friends and family know exactly
what those changes are. Remember, safety comes first. If your
date is offended because you don't feel safe, you probably
don't want to continue anyway.
Have an exit strategy!
You should know you environment. If possible, upon arrival,
park your car near the front entrance. This way if you should
encounter a problem, your car is in a highly visible spot.
Plan ahead for problems and have a method to solve it. Think
of a couple good excuses to excuse your self from the table.
It should allow you enough time to make a discrete exit or
at least call or ask someone for some help / advice. If you
ever uncomfortable or scared you should consider the date
over. Look for a quite way to exit, or come up with a convenient
"emergency". If your date is genuine, they will
understand and address the issues that worried you later in
a conversation. If they are offended, you were probably right
to leave. If you ever feel threatened or in danger call the
police. If you are concerned for your safety, it is no time
to feel guilty or embarrassed. Your safety always comes first.
Using the Video Chat rooms!
As free service to all Date Link Networks members, we offer
video / voice chat. If you decide to engage in a chat session
with a member, remember that all the same rules should apply.
Maintain your privacy, try to stay anonymous. Don't give up
too much information about yourself right away. Make sure
that there is nothing on your clothing or in your background
that may reveal personal information about you such as diplomas
hanging on walls or business letterhead. The video chat is
an excellent way to quickly get to know someone's behavior.
You see if they are what their profile says they are. Take
the time to ask questions, not just answer them.
While liars, cheaters and imposters certainly play their
craft on the Web. You will also find them in nightclubs and
offline dating services, cocktail parties or even sitting
across from you at your local cafe. Regardless of where you
meet someone, dating is never a risk-free activity, but a
little caution will reduce your risk in matters of the heart.
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