A Quick Guide To Safer Online Dating

Despite widespread skepticism, I still believe that online dating is one of the best ways to meet someone special, especially for those whose lifestyle limits their ability to meet other singles in their daily lives.

Statistics back up the success of online dating. According to the Pew Research Center, for example, approximately 5% of Americans who are married or in a committed relationship met their partner online.

A study by the National Academy of Sciences found that more than one-third of marriages in the U.S. begin with online dating, and these couples report slightly higher levels of happiness than couples who meet through other means. In fact, Match.com reports that only 9% of women and 2% of men find relationships in clubs or bars.

Clearly, the Internet plays a crucial role in bringing people together!

However, it’s important to realize that no form of dating is completely risk-free. Meeting strangers online always carries some risk, but there are ways to minimize these dangers and protect yourself.

The reality is that most people who engage in online dating do so safely, which is why these platforms remain popular. Still, it’s wise for online daters to be aware of the potential risks and take precautions.

I know several friends and clients who have had unsettling or even frightening experiences with men they met online. For example, one friend found herself being followed home after a date by a man on a motorcycle. She acted quickly, running several red lights to lose him and eventually pulling over in front of a police station, where he fled. Another friend escaped a potentially dangerous situation by convincing a man to let her return to a restaurant to retrieve her phone, where she asked the manager to call the police.

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