It's Best to Become Friends First the Dangers of Dating a Stranger ...

By Eliza

I’ve read enough crime dramas to know that meeting someone you’ve been talking to online isn’t always the best idea. I’m not saying that online dating is all bad or that you can’t meet your soulmate there, but anytime you head out on a date with someone new, it pays to take precautions so you stay safe and have a really fun time. Here’s why it’s dangerous to date a stranger. By that I mean, someone you know nothing about or that hasn’t been introduced to you by a friend or family member. Read: the guy at the club that wants you to go for a midnight drive with him.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

1

A Violent Physical Attack

Let’s just get this one out of the way first. While it doesn’t happen with every couple that meets online, there are enough cases of victimization to warn you to be very careful. Sometimes a predator will pose as a nice guy online, but when you meet up with him, he may turn into a monster who will violate you or even worse. If you are planning to meet someone, make very sure it’s in a public place until you get to know him better.

2

Losing Your Valuables

I recently read a story about a woman who was robbed blind by a man she met online. He gained her trust, then came to her home and stole a bunch of her valuable belongings. You can never be sure, but it might be a good idea to introduce this guy to friends before allowing him in your home. Often others can see what you can’t.

3

Stolen Identity

Identity theft is a very real danger and one that online dating can open you up to. If you are contacted by a hacker (without knowing), your personal online data may be at risk. Additionally, when you meet up with someone you don’t know well, you may wind up with a stolen credit card number or cell phone without suspecting your date. Use caution and take measures to protect your personal data.

4

How about Hurt Feelings?

At the very least you might wind up on a date with a man who criticizes you or makes fun of you throughout the date. Early dating definitely involves getting to know one another better, but your date should never hurt your feelings. I know this isn’t a life or death danger, but it could happen and that can make dating even more difficult for you. Bottom line – don’t accept date requests from men who don’t seem thoughtful and kind.

5

Mental Health Status

Many men can make themselves out to be proper gentleman online, but harbor mental health issues that are potentially dangerous. Maybe you meet someone who is kind and funny, but has OCD and will make your life miserable when you spend time together. Or, you are making friends with a schizophrenic who hears voices and can be unpredictable and maybe even dangerous.

Famous Quotes

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

Niccolò Machiavelli
6

Cyberbullying

This is a common problem among teens, but it can also happen to young women online. Cyberbullying is when people harass or stalk you on the Internet. It can be minor like being called names or it can progress until it takes over your entire life. Be very careful what information and which photos you share online because those things can be used to stalk you. People have committed suicide as a result of cyberbullying so use extreme caution.

7

Future Abusive Relationship

Surely you’ve watched a Lifetime original movie in which the woman meets the man of her dreams, they get married and then he begins to abuse her, either emotionally, physically, or both. Men who are abusers are very tricky and will suck you in and then you’ll have a hard time getting away.

Experts suggest screening potential dates before meeting them and staying in public for the first few dates, just in case. What other precautions would you take when meeting a stranger for the first time?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

To those persons who are offended by #5 probably do not have experience with the mental health population. I worked in the mental health field for 5 years and quite frankly it is an interesting crowd. I once had a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia mention to me that the voices in his head told him to harm me. Another experience I had was I dated a guy with bipolar disorder who was on medication. He constituted to me becoming depressed. He was either high or low and very verbally abusive. There were times I felt fear because I never knew when he would have snapped. I think the author of this article has a very good point for every thing discussed especially where online dating is concerned.

Damn it, I have like 3 mental illnesses. Guess I'll never find love. Hahahahahaha... *sobbing noises*

@Shel. I do not know you either and yet you are still writing about my without knowing. To some people few things are sacred like relationship and marriage. I come from a good family raised right. Yes i am a bit religious but know one should lure into meeting a girl. Trust me this guy was a sex predator and I will say again YES he was a sex Predator. I would not waste my time and write this. He was looking to rape what does that mean lets go to my room? It is a predatory act when he is meeting me for the first time. I have documented proof of what he did. How he harassed me and also continuing stalking oh yes I get that. It took me a while to get back to this when I saw your comment today. I would not waste my time writing this if this was not true. How ever I am not saying all guys are like that. There are a few guys worth knowing and being friends with. I dont care if you like me or dislike me physical relations will be only with my husband and i will say this again and again! This guy conned me and my friends warned me before not to even meet anybody on line. Oh well i understand how guys time these work and sooner or later they will be caught. If authorities enquire i promise you I will co operate fully i am sure the location matters too. If you dont like my comments just ignore my comments. I am entitled to stating my opinion and actually set good examples for new generation. If you are not ashamed of what you said you should say it literally!

Just so you know people with mental illness are less likely to be violent than the general public... this kind of media is further adding to the stigma around mental illness... which I find very sad

And that's why I would carry pepper spray...

C'mon people! Give the writer some slack, she's just trying to voice out her opinion. Granted, she might've pissed some of you with her "insensitive & incorrect" description of people with mental illnesses, I on the other hand commend her for publicly stating what most people actually feel! Let's be honest with ourselves okay, I truly believe most of us actually have that certain reservations when dealing with mentally ill people! Whether they be friends or relatives, The fact remains that we are all wary of them in one way or another. I myself would admit I'd be a little freaked out if I have to interact with mentally ill people. I'm not saying all evil in this world is caused by these people. All I'm saying is we have to face the sad reality that there really is a stigma towards persons with this kind of illness. The writer, Eliza, just somehow made it all a bit glaringly real by inadvertently putting it down in writing. No offense to those who are affected by this illness, directly or indirectly. We just have to learn to deal with it. Yeah, life's a bitch! Peace to y'all! 😜

As someone who has immediate family members who live with diagnoses of OCD and schizophrenia, I am hurt and offended by the implications in #5. Please learn more about these mental health issues before you throw stereotypes around.

#5 is very insensitive. A person shouldn't be judged based on their mental health problems. It was once said by a therapist that a "normal" person today is considered to have 3 or 4 mental health issues anyways

TRUE ALWAYS. I'm sorry you had to experience what you did. This is a very serious issue and no one should be put through it. I'm not calling you a liar but judging from your other comments on articles you are a very religious lady and are saving yourself for your husband, also you don't approve of people having strings of meaningless relationships. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you meeting a predator online seems unlikely. I admit I do not know you or your story and this is just based on comments of yours that I have read. I wouldn't normally make such a comment but I really dislike girls who make false accusations (although I'm not saying yours is)

Related Topics

dating in your late twenties couple etiquette boyfriend experience service date idea wheel movies ottawa how to tell a guy not to waste your time why is whispering attractive before you date me scare you away how to appear mysterious

Popular Now