Online Dating Safety Tips

Safety of online dating is a very important consideration. It is an unfortunate reflection on today's society but being safe could literally mean the difference between life and death. That may sound a very blunt and straight to the point but it is also the truth. No matter what your age, you are never too old to take safety measures seriously. Read on for some online dating safety tips that you may not have even considered.

Meet only when it feels right

When you date online it is not a requirement that you have to date offline if you do not want to. In these situations, it is best to trust your own instincts. On no account should you feel pressured to meet in person. On the other hand, if you feel that meeting in person is the right thing to do, then go for it. Even then, you should take note of the following tips.

Meet somewhere safe

Always agree to meet in a public setting at a time when the public will be around. On the first face to face meeting, it is seldom a good plan to be alone with your date, or worse in an isolated setting.

Arrange your own transport

You should drive yourself to and from the location of the first date or if you do not drive, ask a friend to take you. Alternatively, take a taxi or use public transportation. Allowing your date to drive you around will instantly lose you any control of the situation. Also, if your date picks you up from home they will know where you live. If during the course of the date, you both agree to go elsewhere, take your own car to the new location. If you do not drive, then it is probably best that you stay where you are.

Tell someone where you are

This tip is for your own protection and not to make you feel like a child. Tell a close friend, coworker, parent or neighbour the name of the person you are meeting and that person's contact details. Also, whoever you tell, let them know the place where you are planning to meet and the time you anticipate to return home. That way, and in the worst case scenario, somebody will know to contact authorities and what to tell them.

Limit alcohol

Too much alcohol or taking an type of drug is not a good idea on a first date as these activities will not only give you 'dutch courage', they will also impair your judgment. You will have plenty of other opportunity to indulge so just wait until another time. Besides you would not want to make the wrong impression.

Make your own travel plans

If the first date will take place somewhere where you will need to arrange for travel or a hotel room, always make these types of arrangements on your own and before going on your date. Once they are made, do not share this information with your date. Get in touch with your date after you arrive to decide on the rest of your plans. And as mentioned above, travel to and from the location on your own and, especially when you travel out of town, make sure there is somebody close to you who knows all of your travel plans.

Use your judgment

While you are on your date, listen in to your instincts. They will know if the date is not going well so pay attention. If you need a second opinion, excuse yourself and call somebody you trust and with whom you can chat about your feelings. Contact the authorities if you think it is appropriate. You can feel like a idiot later on, but that is a lot better than maybe becoming a statistic.

Last but not least, carry your cell phone and make sure the battery is fully charged before you embark on the date.