Online dating services are more popular than regular dating services ever were. Dating services make matches according to interests, age, geo
graphy and other unromantic traits. You are looking for “the one” and may have to sort through some duds. Here are some tips for keeping online dating fun and safe.
1. Stay anonymous, at least for a while. Online dating services have features to protect your address, phone number and other personal information, so protect it for a while. Most people are honest, but some are creeps so be safe and play by the services’ rules.
2. Be realistic and use your common sense. Take it slow, have your first meeting in public, don’t do anything you wouldn’t normally do (like fly off to Hawaii for the weekend), ask questions and trust your instincts. If your match is dodging questions, always wants to meet at home, or is physically inappropriate remember you have no obligation for future meetings.
3. Keep it local. It is fun to meet people from all over the world online. We can make friends in Germany and play video games against some Korean teens, but dating should stay local. That 55 mile drive might not seem bad on the first date, but what about the next 2 years. Set your limits and stick to them.
Online dating can empower you to make the right choices for you, just remember that you are in control and dating online can lead to great friendships and steamy romances.