We a put together these online dating safety tips to help you stay safe during your online dating experience.
Although online dating can initially seem safer than other types of dating (where you initially meet face to face) you still need to be aware of some risks and steps you can take to protect yourself. You can meet lots of potential dates online and one of them could turn out to be your perfect partner but in the meantime, to protect your online dating safety, make sure you do not give away too much of yourself or your personal details till you know someone better.
Your internet dating safety is crucial so trust your own instincts. They are never often wrong. If someone or something does not feel right and you cannot pinpoint why, then either bring the friendship to a very quick stop or take your time to get to know the person a lot better before allowing them into your life. If someone is keen on you they will be happy to take things at a pace that you are happy with. If they are not what they seem, they will be unlikely to hang around.
Online Dating Safety Tips
Here are our top ten online dating safety tips to ensure safe online dating, and enjoying your online dating experiences safely:
1. Don’t give out your phone/mobile numbers
Get to know people by email first, this ensures you can make sure the person is who they say they are. So one of our top online dating safety tips is to keep your phone numbers confidential for a while and only give out your mobile number if you feel ready and think you can trust the other person. Never give your landline number out until you have met them. Mobile numbers can be changed a lot more easily.
2. Keep your home address confidential
The same as your phone numbers; it is best (at first) to keep your home address confidential. Meet your date at the venue so they do not have to pick you up. You really do not want to be stalked at your own home.
3. Do not give details of your place of work
The same as your home address. Having someone, you really do not want to see again, turn up at your place of work is frightening and very embarrassing. If police have to get involved you could be the talk of the office gossips so make sure if you send any emails from your work place (really not advisable as most companies are allowed to read their employees emails) then make sure your company information at the end of the email is deleted.
4. Make it a lunchtime date
Instead of meeting in the dark why not meet during the day and have lunch or a matinee or even a visit to a local attraction. We all feel safer in 
broad daylight and meeting someone for a quick coffee on a Saturday or Sunday can be a quick way to find out if it is worth spending more time getting to know the person you are meeting and if not, you have not wasted much time.
5. Always meet in public
If you do meet your date either during the day or especially during an evening, always make the first date in a very public place like a restaurant, cinema or theatre or places where a lot of people go. If you are really unsure, find out if some friends could be at the same venue at the same time just in case you need a friend in a hurry.
6. Watch your drink
If you are enjoying an alcoholic drink with your date then just keep an eye on it to make sure that they (or someone else) does not add a little something to it. Never leave your drink unattended and make sure drinks are not bought for you whilst you are away from the table. You could always spill it (by accident of course – over them too).
7. Be honest – well diplomatically honest anyway
If you are not interested in seeing the person again then do not promise to call, speak to or see them again. By not getting in contact with the person again it will only leave them to wonder what went wrong and for that they need to speak to you to find out, which mean they will try to speak to you/contact you or even turn into harassing you to ask their questions. Thank your date for their time or for meeting you but explain that they seem to be looking for something different to you such as a more serious relationship and then leave. Wouldn’t you rather know than sit waiting for that next email or phone to ring.
8. Do not ask them to join your social networking site
The whole world seems to have gone facebook/twitter mad but do not be tempted to ask someone to connect with your page as a friend or follower. They may not be able to see your personal details but you do give away a lot of unintentional details on these pages. Keep them for the people you trust.
9. Say thank you and goodnight
At the end of your date (especially the first) thank your date and get a taxi home, on your own. Do not go back to their place as you could end up goodness knows where or do not invite them home as you really do not know them enough to trust them being in the one place you are the safest.
10. Taxis are your way home – do not accept lifts
Again, especially for your first few dates take a taxi home. Do not be tempted to accept a lift. Always keep a few local taxi firm numbers in your phone. Keep some credit on your phone and the taxi fare in your purse and you will always be able to get home alone.
Remember these are just common sense steps that you should be taking in everyday life but sometimes romantic notions can overtake us. Good luck and always be aware of these online dating safety tips when planing your first date(s).