The internet has fast become an integral part of a majority of people’s lives: from communication, shopping, education and even finding a mate! Online dating, also known as internet dating has become the more popular way of finding a date in almost any part of the globe. Over the past 2 to 3 years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of internet dating sites, and it is becoming the fastest growing sector of online content. There are paid online dating sites as well as free online dating sites, where one can get to know a lot of people not only in the local area, but in other countries as well.

In the past years, many people scoffed at the idea of finding dates on the internet. It was more or less thought of as an act of desperation, but, for many singles nowadays, internet dating has become the most convenient way of meeting someone. There are a lot of advantages in using these sites: you don’t have to dress up or spend a lot of money, and you can get to know people in the comfort of your own home, etc. Although the internet is a convenient tool for making new friends and meeting people, there are also a lot of risks that should not be ignored.

Here are a few guidelines and precautions that can ensure a safe and positive experience on the World Wide Web: 1. Never reveal or publicly disclose any personal information such as name, address, and phone number, place of work, credit card or banking information. You are responsible for your own safety, so do your best to protect your privacy. 2. Do not believe in everything you see or read .The internet is full of liars, thieves and scammers. Many people pose as somebody else, make false claims, leave out important details about themselves and would usually post outdated pictures, or pictures of other people as their own.

Little clues and inconsistencies in things that they are telling you could mean that they are trying to hide something. Remember, anyone can adapt a whole new online identity. Before getting too involved in communicating with someone, it would be smart to do a background check first. 3. Never send or receive money from someone you met online. Many scammers can easily disguise as your soul mate. These scammers are experts in preying on their victims’ fantasies and desires. They usually have several tricks to separate you from your cash. Anyone who is shy, lonely, isolated and vulnerable is a perfect candidate for scam artists.

4. Be careful when you meet someone in person. It is always a good idea to meet in a public place, and take along somebody with you if possible. Keep the meeting short and informal, like a coffee date. If you are going alone, tell a friend or a family member about the meeting, and arrange to have somebody call you periodically on your cellular phone. It would be wise to take along some form of personal protection—one can never be too sure these days. 5. Always trust your feelings and intuition—if it doesn’t feel right, then maybe it isn’t right! Don’t disregard warning signs.

You just might avoid having a bad experience—if you missed a few good ones because of being too cautious, oh well. You can always meet someone new with just a click of the mouse.