The most exciting thing on the dating scene today is online dating. Spurred by technological advances and aided by technical solutions that implement them, online dating websites are now innovative, highly interactive and very, very exciting for people across all generations. However, every now and then, you come across stories of people who have had unpleasant experiences while using these dating websites or have been plain duped. Just like traditional dating, even in online dating, a bit of caution goes a long way. Let us take a look at some basic safety precautions that every member of an online dating service should be taking.

·    Do not be tempted by offers from free online dating services. Remember, websites that charge you signup fees do so for a reason. They use the fees to thoroughly screen all members and also use their own resources to conduct background checks on them. Information on what the present status of the member is and any pertinent information, say like criminal records, if found, are made available to all paid members.

·    When you are speaking to someone online, keep an eye out on the consistency of the information they are giving you. If they are lying, it is going to take some effort to be always consistent about the lies.

·    Under no circumstances, should you give your personal details in the very first communication. Never divulge details like your name, address, phone numbers or even that of your children or your immediate family. Only after you have established the genuineness of the person after a few meetings can you slowly reveal the details but even then, only bit by bit.

·    If you find communication with some members uncomfortable, stop communicating right away. In fact, most websites will provide you with tools meant for blocking such users. Use these tools to stop them from harassing you.

·    When you are chatting online or speaking to the other person, watch for warning signs like sudden signs of anger, use of abusive language, providing elusive answers to some direct questions. If your intuition is warning you about someone, heed the warning.

·    When you decide that it may be time to meet your friend in person, choose a public place for your first few meetings. Arrange for your own transport and make sure you leave details like where you will be going, whom you will be meeting and a few phone numbers with another friend.

·    If to your surprise, you find that the date is going really well, tell yourself to stay realistic. Not much can be known about a person in just one date. Do not get carried away and reveal too much personal information about yourself.

Online Dating has more or less the same risks as traditional dating – you just happen to know your date a little better. By being cautious, you are ensuring that you do not get hurt in the process and have a real chance at a long-lasting relationship.

Your friend has been speaking excitedly with you for the past few days about this new online dating service that he has joined. A natural introvert, he has never found it easy to go on dates with complete strangers and is thrilled with the online dating option. He can quickly go through various profiles listed and discard those he knows he will never be comfortable with. Only after carefully selecting a few profiles whose interests matches his own, does he enter into conversations with them, either in chat rooms or over the phone.

After listening to his excited chatter all week long, you are wondering if you too should be joining any online dating service. However, you are still not convinced. One question keeps bothering you most of all – how is online dating any different from blind dates?

Well, consider the scenario where you are out on a blind date. That Saturday night was not particularly convenient for you but then you both seemed to have only this slot free, with your date having to go out of town for the next few weeks. Well, this means working on a Sunday, you say to yourself. You have booked a table in a French restaurant and are waiting for your date to arrive. Well, she arrives 15 minutes late having been caught up in some last minute office work. As you start to order, you realize that she is not a big fan of French cuisine, which ends up making you look like a fool. Your conversation unfortunately does not take off either. She is interested in modern art and far eastern cuisine while you prefer the classics, both art and music. You glance at your watch and to your horror, it has been barely 15 minutes since you first met. Does this sound familiar?

Now consider an online dating scenario. You have chosen your prospective date from possibly hundreds of profiles so that you already know what some of her interests are. She is an art student studying Renaissance art and has just returned from a trip to Paris. Both of you share a love for the city and in your first chat really hit it off. She tells you all about the research she is doing and how she may have to keep traveling. You tell her about your work and what things you enjoy. After a few conversations over email and phone, you are ready to meet. You again go to the same French restaurant but this time you are sure that she likes the food. You meet almost like old friends and carry on the conversation from where you had left it the last time.

Which one of these scenarios makes for a more pleasant evening out? An evening out with a complete stranger about whom you know nothing or an evening out with a friend, albeit an online one.

Online dating offers the distinct advantage of being able to know the person to whatever extent possible before going out on a date and as such certainly holds the edge over blind dates.