08 Mar 2008 04:21:41 | Jay Bauder
The Risks of Online Dating
There is no question that the popularity of online dating has
revolutionized the way potential couples meet each other. These
days, it is not uncommon for the average single person to
participate in an online dating service. In fact, this trend is
fast becoming the norm. In 2004, it was estimated that residents
in the U.S. spent more than $460 million on online dating
services.
It goes without saying that online dating is big business in
America. There are many reasons why people find this method of
meeting new people so appealing. For one thing, everyone is
doing it! The number of online dating services on the internet
is so abundant, many of which offer services, absolutely for
free.
The combination of curiosity and the desire to meet new,
exciting people is what usually lure individuals to be a part of
an online dating service community. But this new activity
doesn't come without a price.
Sure it doesn't happen all the time, but just every now and then
horror stories about online dating services would arise. Some of
them are scary enough to send casual observers away from these
online dating services for good.
One of the problems facing the industry of online dating service
is that its participants often misrepresent themselves in the
profiles that they create. Not everyone tells the truth. People
have been known to lie about everything, including their marital
status. Some married individuals try to pass themselves off as
single; while others lie about their physical appearance, age,
economic status, and even gender.
For an inexperienced online dater, the danger lurks at every
corner. But there are some safety measures prospective
participants can take to help guide them through a safe online
dating experience.
Rule of the thumb: most online dating services the offer
subscription are relatively safer than those individuals that
can be accessed for free. Those sites that require membership
offer a set of requirements, and guidelines that aspiring
members would have to meet before they become subscribers.
There are even some sites that are so exclusive, that anyone who
wants to join has to undergo an intensive screening process
first. Background checks are done on aspiring members to make
sure that the information they have given checks out.
Some more safety tips when it comes to online dating:
1. Participants should pay attention to the consistency of the
information given to them by the persons they are corresponding
with. This way, they'd be able to detect if they're lying.
2. Online daters should protect their identity. One of the
greatest things about online dating is that it offers
participants anonymity. Personal information like: address, last
name, phone number, is not revealed until the participant
decides to do so. Participants should be extremely careful about
divulging personal information that will make it possible for
the people they are communicating with to directly locate them.
3. Participants should abruptly cease communication with people
who are obsessed with acquiring personal information about them.
4. Participants should always keep a look out for warning signs
when they are talking to people, such as: the use of foul
language, signs of anger for no apparent reason, elusiveness in
answering direct questions, makes disrespectful remarks, etc.
These are some of the symptoms that spell something could
terribly go wrong. The person that is exhibiting these types of
behavior may not be trustworthy, and may lead others to danger.
5. Once an online dater has decided to meet his or her date,
they should agree to have a meeting place. Individuals should
never allow their dates to meet them at home.
Online dating is similar to real life dating in the sense that
individuals should always practice common sense and caution,
whenever they meet someone new. Even though, the interaction
takes place online, once people have revealed personal
information about them to others, they won't be able to take
them back.
It is best to always use one's instincts and logic when it comes
to dealing with other people, even when it comes to online
dating. This is where some people fall prey to cheaters,
deceivers, and even sexual offenders. They go against their
better judgment. If something feels amiss, like there is
something not quite right, then this is probably a sign that
something can go terribly wrong.
It is best to get out of this situation whenever this occurs. As
the saying goes: "Better be safe than be sorry". A saying that
online dating service participant should always remember.
About Author :
