Dangers of Online Dating

Significance
1. Instant messengers (IMs) allow online users to communicate directly to each other via a variety of services. Online dating services often incorporate IMs allow members to connect with each other while in the safe confines of their own home. But these interactions are still governed by the amount of information being shared. If a man claims to be a woman with two kids, nothing can dispute this fact until the couple meets for the first time, face to face. The danger of misrepresentation is very strong.
Function
2. Online dating services provide some measure of control by pre-screening or 'vetting' the members who sign up. These services also advise all clients and members not to meet someone for the first time in a private place. Couples should meet in controlled, public situations. When the online dating service advises this, it means that the service is aware that some members may misrepresent themselves, their intentions and their history. Safety first is a mantra that anyone who considers dating online needs to remember.
Types
3. Three major concerns or dangers facing online daters are overseas scammers, married men or women seeking affairs and potential stalkers. A number of people use online dating sites to seek partners they can begin relationships with, only to bilk them for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars.
Some members who sign up for adult online dating sites are married and are simply seeking sexual partners.
While the first two dangers affect the pocket book and the heart, the third danger is one that threatens physical well-being. Cyber-stalkers can use Internet dating sites to make contact with people; they may then spam their email boxes, steal their identities or worse, begin stalking them in real life.
Misconceptions
4. People often believe online dating is safe because using the Internet creates a barrier of anonymity between couples until they want to remove it. Unfortunately, savvy Internet users can hack sites, trace back IP addresses and in some cases, use slips of personal data to locate a person in real life whether they wanted to be located or not. The shroud of anonymity flows in both directions, a person can appear to be one thing online and turn out to be something completely different in real life. Just exchanging a few emails and casual comments in instant messages does not guarantee insight into a person. Always exercise caution in online relationships.
Warning
5. Avoid the dangers of online dating by exercising caution and common sense. Never give out personal information like home address and telephone number before meeting the person face to face. Always plan first, second and sometimes even third meetings in public places. Tell someone before going out on the date; be sure that a friend or family member is aware of where you are going, who you are going with and what time you plan to be back. Always take your own transportation to and from the date. Trust your instincts, if a first meeting with a person makes you uncomfortable or uneasy, trust your instincts. It's better to be safe than to be sorry.