Online dating: Safety Tips for Meeting Potential Partners In Person

Online dating has some advantages over conventional dating. It provides convenient and wide access to potential partners, especially for those who lack such access.  Mathematical algorithms can provide daters with a basic sense of compatibility before meeting in person, and people can get to know each other online to see if it makes sense to meet offline. There is no doubt that cyber dating comes with risks, however, online dating also has the potential to improve the process of finding a committed and emotionally satisfying romantic relationship.

In March of 2012, the office of the Attorney General signed a Joint Statement of Key Principles of Online Dating Site Safety with major dating sites including eHarmony and Match.com. Dating sites are required to educate and empower members and to screen for registered sex offenders. But laws change and improve slowly and technology and behaviors evolve rapidly. Therefore the ultimate responsibility falls upon each individual using the Internet.  Before creating an online dating profile, it is wise to read and follow each dating site’s safety guidelines.

To minimize risks during the online “getting to know you” stage, read, Internet Dating:  5 Ways to Stay Safe Online.  When meeting a potential partner in person for the first time, here are some safety suggestions:

1.  Share your plans and destination with someone who can follow up on your safety

• Let them know who you are meeting, where you are meeting, when you are meeting and when you plan to return
• Set up one or more times to be in touch during your date
• Let your date know that someone is expecting to hear from you

2.  Consider “double-dating” or taking someone with you for your first offline date

• Doube-dating can take a lot of the fear out of your first offline encounter
• If double-dating is not an option, consider having someone accompany you and then leave after meeting your date. Add another layer of safety by having that person pick  you up at an allocated time
• If you cannot double-date or have someone accompany you, you can ask someone to observe discreetly from a distance without intruding on your date

3.  Keep a cell phone with you at all times

• Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and take a charger with you for long distance travel

4.  Drive yourself or arrange your own transportation

• Do not accept a ride from or enter the vehicle of the person you are meeting offline for the first time

5.  Meet in a public place

• For the first date, its a good idea to meet during the day
• Make sure the meeting place is well-populated and well-lit, day or night
• Stay in well-populated areas for the entire first date
• Do not go to remote or private areas
• Avoid areas without cell phone reception

6.  Do not reveal the location of your home, hotel or place where you are staying

• For out of town dates, never stay with your potential partner and do not tell your date where you are staying
• Do not go to your date’s home or invite your date to your home the first time you meet

7.  Always be aware of your surroundings

• If you have a beverage, keep an eye on it at all times so that nothing can be put in it (drugs)
• If you need to leave for any reason without your drink, (to go to the bathroom, for example) ask for a fresh drink when you return
• Keep track of all personal belongings – especially items that contain personal information such as your wallet and cell phone

8.  Stay sober

• Avoid drugs and alcoholic drinks when you meet for the first time to stay alert and in control of your decisions and actions
• Do not do anything that could impair your judgment or put your safety at risk

Taking an online relationship offline can be exciting, fun, frightening and dangerous at the same time.  At both the online and offline stages, the message remains consistent – use common sense and always exercise care and vigilance when using Technology, the Internet and Social Media.

Until next time… stay Cyber Safe!