It’s time to meet after chatting online - How to be safe

Katie Silcox | Thursday 24 January | 10:42

Online dating

So, you've seen each others profiles and liked what you've seen you've exchanged many witty e-mails, you've even spoken on the phone and got on brilliantly. Now it's time to meet, but how can you make sure you're safe when the relationship becomes face-to-face?

Dating online is a great way to meet people, but as in any first date situation, you need to be careful.

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Follow our top tips on that first date to ensure you put your safety first:

Your Details:

Don’t give out personal details straight away; an address, a surname, or a phone number may be all he/she needs to trace you. If you and your date want to talk before meeting (a good idea!), call from a pay phone or use Skype – these can’t be traced.

Meet:

In a busy, public place. Head to a café you know well, or your local pub – where people know you.

Take Company:

Take a friend with you on that first date – the friend can stay for the entire date, or just for the beginning, leaving and then returning again at the end.

Tell Someone:

If you prefer to go it alone, be sure to tell someone where you’re going, details of your date (name, address, phone number etc), and at what time you’ll be back. This way you’ll have someone else looking out for you too.

Be aware:

This means: don’t drink too much alcohol, and don’t become too attracted or absorbed in your date. Both these situations may impair your judgement of situations.

Be Careful:

In the early stages, don’t go back to your date’s house, don’t invite them to yours, and don’t accept a lift of them – you need to be sure about him/her before saying yes to any of these offers.

Follow Your Instincts:

Trust your intuition – if someone or something doesn’t feel right, listen to your feelings. In this situation, don’t feel pressured to give out any more personal details or to arrange another date.

Remember that with any kind of dating, there are always risks. But be aware, follow our tips, and dating should be both fun and safe.

 

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