Online Dating Tips & Advice

In some ways, online dating isn’t all that different from from traditional dating. Go slow is still the rule of thumb when meeting people online. It’s like racing down the highway, if you go too fast you might miss the sign that tells you where your turn off is! The risk of being deceived is greater with online dating, but it is a risk that can be managed.

Take it slow

Time will reveal who someone really is and will weed out those with bad intentions. Anyone who puts up a false front can only hold it up for so long. It is common in relationships that end up being abusive and controlling to start out as “love at first site” or be described as a “whirlwind romance”. Predators come across as being exactly what you are looking for to get their foot in the door. Someone who wants your money will initially come across as being in the same financial bracket, but in time will be going through some kind of rough spot and need financial help. Those with bad intentions will move on to their next victim once they figure out they have to wait to get what they want.

Know what will work for you

Before you get started, take the time and figure out what didn’t work in past relationships and what did work. Sometimes it helps to put it in writing. Online dating or any type of dating will be doomed to fail if you keep repeating what did not work in the past. Once you know what works or what you think will work, you can move in direction that will lead you to the right partner.

Be open to new things

Listing only your current interest is limiting. Do you have interests that you have never had a chance to pursue or have pursued in a limited way? Learning something new with someone new is fun and exciting.

Keep private stuff private

There’s no reason anyone needs to know your address, phone number, or place of employment to get to know you better. When you find someone who you do want to get to know better, it should be enough to know the towns you live in are close enough to be able to date, to communicate with instant messaging, and to know the general type of work you do.

Separate personal and online contact information

Businesses separate their personal contact information from their business information; it’s a wise move for online dating safety, too. There is no reason with all the free e-mail services you can’t have a separate e-mail account just for online dating. It may also be worth the cost of a separate phone number and post office box that is used just for online dating contact.

Use extra caution if you have children

Sexual predators of children often use a vulnerable single parent as a contact to gain access to children. They often come in as the knight in shining armor to rescue the mom and seem like the perfect “dad” until trust is established and their true motives are exposed. They are well skilled at their craft. Don’t be so desperate for a date you put your children at risk.

Take a chance

If you have been taking your time to get to know someone, followed online dating safety guidelines, and you are both still interested in knowing each other better, don’t be afraid to take the chance to see where it will go. It’s better to take a chance and have it not work out than to live your life always wondering “what if”.