by Vilie Farah

Created on: January 28, 2011   Last Updated: January 30, 2011

Apart from being tremendously fun, online dating comes with a degree of responsibility. People who decide to jump into this adventure need to act responsibly in terms of their own safety.

Several basic precautions have to be taken so that online dating is both enjoyable and safe. If the issue is approached too lightheartedly, an individual could experience manipulation, bullying and even fraud.

~ Protecting personal information ~
An online dating profile needs to contain solely general information. Posting the name of the city in which you live is acceptable, as long as you refrain from revealing your exact address.

The profile should contain no personal or confidential information. It is ok to list interests and personal preferences. It is not ok to have your workplace, telephone number and e-mail publicly available.

Protect private information until you are comfortable with a person. Even if you feel that you have discovered someone special, you should never give away financial information or details about your income and social status.

~ Selecting pictures carefully ~
Even if you are cautious about the publication of private information, you can give people certain hints through the photos that you publish.

Make sure that the pictures provide no information about your location, workplace or home. A headshot or a vacation picture is perfect for the aim. In case you start having regular conversations with someone you trust, you can provide that person with more photographs.

Pictures that are too sexy or revealing will also be inappropriate. Such images might lure people who are interested in you solely sexually. If this is what you are looking for, go ahead. In case your aim is to discover true love, you might consider adopting a slightly more conservative approach.

~ Learning how to recognize fake profiles ~
In the beginning, everything will appear exceptionally exciting. The communication with others will make you feel special and attractive.

Soon, however, you might get disappointed. Too many people are dishonest in their profiles. You may later on discover that some of them are married while others have lied about their life.

Learn how to recognize fake profiles and the ones of people who have no serious intentions. Amazing pictures that have studio quality are almost always fake. People who sound too good to be true probably are.

Go for the pictures that are realistic – featuring some flaws and a person who is far from a professional model. Examine the manner in which the other person writes to you and responds to the information that you are providing. This is the best way to keep yourself safe from disappointment.

~ Respect the privacy of others ~
Just like you would like to have your privacy respected, you should learn to be considerate with other people.

Never be pushy and demanding, even if you feel that something special is about to happen. If the person you are dating online feels uncomfortable about providing certain information, wait and show patience.

~ Never yield in to pressure ~
Some people will be asking you for a real date after the exchange of only few mails. Do not yield in to such pressure.

If you have discovered the right person, you will be given the chance to take your time. Being pressured into a meeting will never benefit the relationship.

Meet someone only if you feel that the move is the right one. Nobody can force you into a real date. Understand the fact that you are free to say ‘no.’

Remember that online dating is fun and safe as long as you act in a rational manner. Taking preliminary precautions will minimize the risk and give you the chance to enjoy your online encounters fully.

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