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.
Snapshot Survey
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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?
Comments
Godzilla: This article is completely redundant considering most of these are common sense. The mental health one is completely uninformed, incorrect and only serves to widen the stigma towards mental health. Having a mental health issue does not automatically make you violent, you're more of a danger to yourself than others. Do some research next time.
Mmss: Please don't refer to a person as "schizophrenic", but rather as a person with schizophrenia. We are not our diseases.
Bel: I do online dating, and I have a rule before meeting my date in person. We have to have a live video chat at least once
Kayy: I met my fiancé online been together two years. But still got to be careful. I was depressed and suicidal when i signed up to online dating everyone has a story dont we
Sasa: 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.
N8alie: I... I haven't ever been on a date before... *shyly looks down*
Amy: I have a very close family member with schizophrenia.... I also think its very unlikely someone with a severe mental illness is going to end up on an online dating site
Cj: Really folks. Become informed, with regards to #5. Those living with mental illness are actually more likely to be on the receiving end of violence or harm. 1 in 5 persons experience a mental illness in their life time, so keep those stats in mind when dating. I work in mental health and some of these posts are disheartening.
Ruby_2715: I feel number #5 is advocating stigma towards mental health
True: @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!
:
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge