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.

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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.

If you're looking to engage your partner in intriguing conversations, why not try some hypothetical questions for couples? These fun queries will not only keep the conversation lively but also stimulate deep thoughts and potentially reveal insights about each other's personality and thought processes.

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.

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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?

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Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I think Eliza simply meant for us to be aware of people with undisclosed and very serious mental issues. I know that I wouldn't want to be surprised in the midst of a relationship with a serious mental problem. I'd certainly want to be prepared! So let's check our dates out carefully before going on a long moonlight drive to the middle of nowhere!

I strongly agree with number. Be careful of a guy pretending to be the one and he is a Predator. Yes I say again a PREDATOR. Who ever wrote 1. Is a genius. I know that is true. I experienced it. No means NO always. Such guys should go to jail if they don't listen! Based on a true story. I met a so called "guy" turn out to be an online predator based on my story.

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! 😜

Always bring cash$$. Just in case I need to go home in a cab.

#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

That's right ....

Come to think of it I thin I sometime

I was raped by my controlling sociopathic ex.He was also schrizopenic and he admits to having people telling him to do things in head.To sum it up, my ex is a narcist, sociopath, schrizopenic and a rapist.Mental illness can be very dangerous and violent sometimes.Im replying to the girls whom believe all or most people with mental disease are harmless especially young men.I was a mentally and physically healthy young woman with a bright future, I suffer from 8 disorders now and some are mental illness due to the traumatic rape.Life is a bitch!