Nine Essential Safety Tips for Internet Dating

Perhaps you think you’re too smart to need to read safety tips for Internet dating. After all, you’re a savvy, modern single. But online dating safety tips are essential for everyone because it’s so easy to relax your guard and make simple mistakes without thinking about it. I’ve put together the most important safety tips for Internet dating I can think of to help you get safely started.

Your Privacy

Check out every Internet dating site you are considering thoroughly. The site you choose should have a comprehensive online privacy policy that includes never releasing your personal information to other members and not selling any information to third party vendors.

Avoid Embarrassment

Here’s an important online safety tip: don’t post photos on the Internet that could embarrass you or get you into trouble later (overly suggestive or nude). Once a picture is posted, it’s very easy for someone to lift it off of the dating site for any number of purposes you didn’t intend.

Choosing a User Name

Using Your Credit Card Online

My safety tips for Internet dating aren’t just about personal safety – your financial safety is important, too. Be sure to read the fine print on any membership contract. Some memberships renew automatically, others don’t. If you stop using an online dating site you could be in for an unpleasant surprise if it keeps renewing on your credit card long after you’ve stopped using it. Make sure you confirm your membership cancellation!

Don't Reveal Your Address

Not giving out personal information in your profile is a very important Internet safety tip! This includes details like where you live. Saying “San Diego” is fine, but mentioning in your online dating profile that you live in a specific area or on a particular street makes it far too easy for someone you haven’t even communicated with to find you.

Don't Reveal Your Place of Work

Talking about work is fine, but saying that you work at (for instance) Mount Michael High School breaks all of the safety tips for Internet dating there are – you’ve revealed online where you can be found to thousands (if not millions) of people. They can quickly find you this way – and you’re also leaving yourself open to possible harassment in your workplace. Finally, it may violate rules at your place of employment about giving out information about it without consent.

Posting Your Photo Online

Let’s talk about photos and Internet dating safety. They are essential to a successful profile, and I heartily recommend including a picture, but here’s a tip when posting your photo online: be aware of everything that’s in your photo! Is there anything in the background that indicates where you are? A public landmark is fine, but the front of your home is a bad idea. Street signs and other indicators should also be off limits.

Don't Feel Pressured

And don’t forget this safety tip when dating on the Internet: wait until you really know someone and feel comfortable before giving out your phone number, personal email address or other private information. If you feel pressured to give them out online before you’re comfortable, move on.

Be Aware of Phonies

Be aware of inconsistencies when corresponding or chatting with others online. If he or she can’t seem to get their stories straight, they may be hiding something.

There are numerous safety tips for Internet dating, so be sure to check out the tips listed on the online dating sites you visit or join. Most of these will also have helpful suggestions in addition to these nine essentials.

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