Internet Dating Safety Concerns – Online Dating For Seniors
Gordon Edwards asked:
Is online dating really safe for seniors? The most truthful answer is both yes and no. There are definitely hazards to be faced with online dating at any age but seniors often feel especially vulnerable to scam artists who prey on internet daters. But we also take daily risks that are at least as hazardous. For example, most people drive cars in heavy traffic and on expressways. Like driving, online dating has its risks but common sense precautions can put you at ease in taking those chances. Drivers have to learn to put on their seat belt, look in all directions, and drive defensively. And no matter how carefully you drive, there are bound to be close calls to having an accident on a regular basis. Nevertheless, we take these hazards in stride and drive routinely without worrying about having an accident that day. The same can be said about using online dating services.
Here are some common sense guidelines to promote online safety for seniors so that you can cruise the online highway with safety and enjoyment.
1. Use paid internet dating services.
There are an increasing number of free online dating sites which seem to be preferred by younger people. The more established paid sites – like eHarmony and Match.com – require more information from the people who subscribe so that you can rely more on the information that you are provided. People may still lie about their age or marital status or provide an out-of-date photograph, but these dishonesties will be discovered as you interact and they do not pose a threat to your safety.
2. Protect your identity until the third date.
Internet services encourage you to use a screen name as you swap e-mails and even phone calls through the service. You can communicate and get to know someone without divulging your real last name, home address, or home telephone number. When you decide to share e-mails outside the service, it is a good idea to set up a special e-mail address with one of the free services rather than give out your usual e-mail address. Telling the other person so much personally identifying information should not come until after several face-to-face meetings have established a clear basis for mutual trust.
3. Don’t delay meeting face-to-face.
After three or four e-mails and perhaps as many as two telephone calls, move on to schedule your first meeting. It is easy to build up false expectations of someone known only through e-mail or telephone contact. In-person contact will immediately tell you if the person has used an out-of-date photo or lied about their age, height, and weight. If they come up with excuses for not meeting, they may be lying about marital status or may even be operating a scam from another country. If someone resists meeting in person, it is time to cut off communications and move on to someone else.
4. Take precautions for the first two or three meetings.
Your meeting should be scheduled for a public place with plenty of people around, preferably a coffee shop or restaurant as opposed to a bar. Drive separately to the meeting location and NEVER get in the car alone with the other person on the first date. Women are often advised to tell a friend where they are going and who they are meeting – and some people even think it a good idea for the woman to go to the restroom at some point and telephone the friend to let them know if everything is OK. Having a cell phone handy is always good for the woman in case she needs to call for assistance for any reason.
5. Gradually take more risks as you feel more comfortable with someone.
By the third date, you should feel comfortable driving somewhere in a car together. And on the third or fourth date the woman may allow the man to pick her up from home. This all depends on the gradual building of trust that took place in the first two meetings.
Safety should always be a paramount concern when using online dating – just as it is when driving a car. Taking the time to fasten your seatbelt and looking in all directions before backing up is just like the practical measures needed to protect your identify and keep you safe. Here’s to safe adventures on the online highway of life!
chest fat
Is online dating really safe for seniors? The most truthful answer is both yes and no. There are definitely hazards to be faced with online dating at any age but seniors often feel especially vulnerable to scam artists who prey on internet daters. But we also take daily risks that are at least as hazardous. For example, most people drive cars in heavy traffic and on expressways. Like driving, online dating has its risks but common sense precautions can put you at ease in taking those chances. Drivers have to learn to put on their seat belt, look in all directions, and drive defensively. And no matter how carefully you drive, there are bound to be close calls to having an accident on a regular basis. Nevertheless, we take these hazards in stride and drive routinely without worrying about having an accident that day. The same can be said about using online dating services.
Here are some common sense guidelines to promote online safety for seniors so that you can cruise the online highway with safety and enjoyment.
1. Use paid internet dating services.
There are an increasing number of free online dating sites which seem to be preferred by younger people. The more established paid sites – like eHarmony and Match.com – require more information from the people who subscribe so that you can rely more on the information that you are provided. People may still lie about their age or marital status or provide an out-of-date photograph, but these dishonesties will be discovered as you interact and they do not pose a threat to your safety.
2. Protect your identity until the third date.
Internet services encourage you to use a screen name as you swap e-mails and even phone calls through the service. You can communicate and get to know someone without divulging your real last name, home address, or home telephone number. When you decide to share e-mails outside the service, it is a good idea to set up a special e-mail address with one of the free services rather than give out your usual e-mail address. Telling the other person so much personally identifying information should not come until after several face-to-face meetings have established a clear basis for mutual trust.
3. Don’t delay meeting face-to-face.
After three or four e-mails and perhaps as many as two telephone calls, move on to schedule your first meeting. It is easy to build up false expectations of someone known only through e-mail or telephone contact. In-person contact will immediately tell you if the person has used an out-of-date photo or lied about their age, height, and weight. If they come up with excuses for not meeting, they may be lying about marital status or may even be operating a scam from another country. If someone resists meeting in person, it is time to cut off communications and move on to someone else.
4. Take precautions for the first two or three meetings.
Your meeting should be scheduled for a public place with plenty of people around, preferably a coffee shop or restaurant as opposed to a bar. Drive separately to the meeting location and NEVER get in the car alone with the other person on the first date. Women are often advised to tell a friend where they are going and who they are meeting – and some people even think it a good idea for the woman to go to the restroom at some point and telephone the friend to let them know if everything is OK. Having a cell phone handy is always good for the woman in case she needs to call for assistance for any reason.
5. Gradually take more risks as you feel more comfortable with someone.
By the third date, you should feel comfortable driving somewhere in a car together. And on the third or fourth date the woman may allow the man to pick her up from home. This all depends on the gradual building of trust that took place in the first two meetings.
Safety should always be a paramount concern when using online dating – just as it is when driving a car. Taking the time to fasten your seatbelt and looking in all directions before backing up is just like the practical measures needed to protect your identify and keep you safe. Here’s to safe adventures on the online highway of life!
chest fat
Tags: Home Telephone, Marital Status, Sense Guidelines
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