From the Computer to the Flesh: Keeping Online Relationships Safe
The dating world today is not the same world that your parents dated in. More and more people are meeting their dates online. This is a great way to meet other people, but there are some different considerations where your safety is concerned. In the past when we dated we generally were able to find out a lot more about who we were dating and talking to, so there was a different level of safety or security than you get through online dating. There are some really simple questions that you can ask yourself before you take the relationship off of the computer and into the flesh. These questions will help you determine if this is someone that you should really be meeting or not.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting
? How well do you really know the person?
? Does the person generally answer your questions in a straight forward manner?
? Do they seem like they have a fun personality?
? Do you feel as though you can trust the other person?
? Has the person placed pressure on you to meet?
? What does the person do for a living?
? What sort of family situation did they come from?
? Have you seen several photographs of the person?
? Have you talked on the phone yet?
? Have you caught them in any lies?
These are some simple guide questions that you should ask yourself before meeting in the flesh. Be honest with yourself when you are answering these questions, as these questions really can serve as a guide as to whether this is someone that you should take a chance in meeting. Remember, you want to have all positive interactions with the person before meeting with them, feeling like they are being 100% truthful with you at all times.
If You Decide to Meet
If you decide that you are going to meet the person you should be sure that you do it safely. Even if you feel like you know them well, remember there is a lot that can be hidden when there is a computer between you. Make sure that you tell a couple different friends where you are going and who you are going with. Also, make sure that the first few times you meet that you are meeting in a public place. Take the process of getting to know one another in the flesh slowly, until you are sure that this is a legit relationship. Also, be sure that you do not give information about where you work or live until this feeling out process has passed.