subject: Staying Safe Online [print this page] The most important thing to remember when dating online is your personal safety. When you get hit with the excitement of online dating it may be the last thing you think about when starting online dating, but be sure to remember these simple rules so you can make sure that you are conscious of your safety while dating online:
oUse a secure dating service (paid services)
oKeep personal details private; never give out too much personal information
oAsk for a most recent photo
oAlways meet in a public/ populated place for the first date, dont accept a lift
oMake sure a friend knows where youre going
oKeep your phone on you at all times
The first thing to consider when remembering how to stay safe while online dating is making sure you are using a secure dating website. Make sure you choose a website that has high security for your personal details. When choosing a site, you will be more likely to find your perfect match if the database size is larger than if it only has a few hundred members, this way you know it is a popular dating site with good results.
Make sure you keep your personal details private from everyone to see. It is important to ensure you do not give out too much information, including your home phone number, stick to giving out your mobile number so they cannot locate you. You could also add your date on Facebook or Twitter to get to know them a bit better. Never trust how recent someones profile picture is and always ask for a most recent photo of them so you can be sure they are being genuine.
Choosing a location to meet for your first date is extremely important. Always make sure you arrange to meet in a public and well populated area. It is also important to make your own way to the date and do not accept a lift from the person you are meeting. Similar rules apply for when you are meeting your match from a long distance; make sure you stay in a hotel and stick to taxis as your transport to the date. When you are going on your first date, always ensure that you tell a friend where you are going in case of emergencies, and also always keep your phone on you at all times.
