I admit to a lot of prejudices regarding on line “relationships” since I’ve seen so many people deceived, betrayed and generally mucked around by them. The percentage of unsuccessful on line relationships far outweighs the successful ones. Having said all that, for some people they do have their place.

 

They are a relatively safe introduction to the world of dating. It is possible to make some good friends with whom you can discuss all sorts of things. And they are the only way some people will ever get any social interaction at all. But they are a poor substitute for the real thing.

 

Some cautions:

 

  1. Someone who is genuine will not be pushing you into sexually charged conversations right at the outset. They will want to get to know you first.
  2. They will not be making extravagant promises about relocation.
  3. They will not be trying to glamorize their lives to impress you. They almost certainly do not work for the CIA!
  4. They will keep their promises, even in small things.
  5. They will not be trying to pressure you to remove your profile from the dating website before meeting face to face. And they will want to meet face to face as soon as is reasonably possible.
  6. They will provide you with the means of checking their credentials and will not be angry with you for checking them.
  7. They won’t keep mysteriously disappearing on you claiming computer malfunctions – more likely their spouse walked into the room.
  8. They will not restrict your telephone access to them – again, a red flag that they are hiding something, or hiding your existence from those around them.

 

Don’t send revealing photos to people whose credentials you haven’t checked out unless you want to find yourself featured on someone’s website. Don’t do things “on cam” unless you are sure you’re not amusing a group of teenagers, or giving some pervert a free porn show. Remember that what seems OK now might not feel OK in a few months time, and may resurface to embarrass you.

 

Above all, don’t send anyone money. No matter how good the sob story!

 

Bottom Line: If it seems “too good to be true” then it probably is!