Safety first for singles when online dating When singles are online dating your gut instinct isnt always working at its full capacity. We create our most accurate gut instinct or first impression of someone when we are face-to-face. You don’t see people face-to-face when you first start online dating. So here are some tips to keep it fun and safe.

• Take it slow. Give your gut time to get to know them. The safe confines of online dating are the perfect place to get to know singles properly. Don’t make the decision to call or meet them until you feel completely confident.
• Hold your cards close to your chest. Protecting your anonymity and private details is important when chatting to singles via online dating. Keep it light and friendly and ensure you remain alert to some extent. No one is going to be forward enough to flat out ask for your banking details so they can empty your account, but if they pay excessive amounts of attention to your financial situation that should start the alarm bells.
• Look to the past. If something they have said whilst online dating doesn’t ring quite true check through some old emails you exchanged when you first met them via online dating to make sure the information they are giving you is consistent.
• Photo finish. Ask any singles you meet through online dating for a specific photo. If they’ve be talking about a new dog, ask them to send you a photo of themselves with the dog. Make sure their new photo matches up with their  singles profile photo.
• Give me a call sometime. If you have been emailing singles of interest and are comfortable making the next step past online dating and talking on the phone, why not try a free online ‘telephone’ service like Skype, MSN or Googletalk. This way you don’t have to give them your phone details. Alternatively you could ask for their number or give your mobile or work number rather than your home details.
• Doing it in public. When you have finally made the decision to progress past online dating to meet singles face-to-face, keep it in a public place. If you’re going to a café, take a friend along who can sit at another table while the two of you get to know each other better. Alternatively, make sure someone knows where you are and who you are with. Get a friend to call during your date and tell them where you are. Make plans to meet your friend after the date and confirm this on the phone, in front of your date.
• Pick up? Don’t agree to be picked up or dropped home after your date. Meet your date at an agreed location and time.
• A few little drinkies? Drinking can impair your judgement. Keep your eye on your drink at all times. Not only will you keep track of how many you are drinking, but this will also protect you from drink spiking. Remember your date wont have the opportunity to spike your drink when online dating so be carefull this doesnt occur when you meet inperson.
• Gotta’ love the Dutch! No one should ever feel obliged to give anything in return for their date paying the bill. If your date offers to pay, great. That doesn’t entitle him or her to anything in return. A good thing to do is go Dutch. Just split the bill for the first few dates. This part of the date will be a test as singles who meet through online dating wont have had to part with any money at that point. 

If you feel at any time that something isn’t quite right with the person you have met through online dating, do something about it. If you feel certain singles are harassing you via online dating, tell them to stop, block them and report them to us. Hookmeup.com.au is made for Australian singles who want to have fun. Harassment is not fun and we take it seriously.

If you’re on a date and something doesn’t feel right, make your excuses and leave. Your safety is much more important than any awkwardness that might be caused by you leaving early. Happy online dating good luck!

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