Establishing Online Dating Relationships:
Safety First
Online dating can be fun. But don’t neglect safety and
common sense when you try to hook up with a mate. At minimum,
take caution in the following areas.
Protect Your Computer
Take care of your equipment and systems before you head out
into the Internet realm. You need to have a firewall and
anti-virus protection for your email and for when you search
websites and interact online. At the bare minimum, you may want
these two solutions that are offered at no charge to home
computer users (i.e. not for commercial use):
Free Firewall Download: ZoneAlarm www.zonelabs.com
Free Anti-Virus Download: AVG Anti-Virus www.grisoft.com
Protect Yourself
Take care of yourself, too, by choosing appropriate dating
sites. Seek and choose a reputable online dating service.
How? Begin by asking around with friends, neighbors, co-workers
and others you may know who have tried online dating, and see
which places they recommend. In addition, search “online dating
services” and keep a notebook of their URLs or website links,
the fees, rules and regulations, complete contact information
of each and any other useful information that spikes your
interest. Then compare each place. Try only those places
where you feel safe. Avoid the others.
So take care. Arm your computer – and yourself- with the
correct tools and knowledge!
Growing Online Dating
Relationships
Just like regular real-world relationships, online
relationships need tending, to grow over time. Here are some
quick growing tips.
1. Take time and make time. Does your online date get
in touch with you regularly? Do you do the same? Neglecting
virtual meetings can be considered abuse or neglect, so treat
each other’s time with respect. If it’s lacking, might mean
time to move on.
2. Communication needs to “feel” right for both of you.
If one of you is too pushy about meeting, for instance, that
can give off bad vibes. So don’t rush. Take time to learn more
about each other and develop trust.
3. Respect each others privacy. Don’t share personal
email addresses or digital photos online, for example, if your
online date sent you the information in confidence.
4. Share special online and offline fun times. Online –
send greeting cards, links to favorite places to upload digital
photos of your favorite pet, download music and video clips,
post on favorite forums of interest. Offline- if you’re
exchanging addresses or post office boxes, send print greeting
cards and postcards, small items from your area (like a key
chain with your state bird).
Tend your online relationship. Water it with care and over
time it can sprout and grow.
|