Your Guide to Online Dating

Online dating is a fast, safe and fun way to meet people. To ensure your safety follow our guide below.

Meeting new people from the safety of your home

• Be aware: There are things to consider before you even get to the first meeting. Never reveal any personally identifiable information on your online dating profile, in your personal ads or in your private e-mails to potential dates.
• Use the dating communication tools provided: Do not invite singles to reply to your regular address. The main aim of online dating is to provide safety, take advantage of this while getting to know other singles.
• When you e-mail in private: It's a good idea to use an anonymous email account at a free site when you begin to get to know new singles. Again it's down to personal judgement, when you feel more comfortable with the person, you can then reveal your personal address.

First Meeting

• Always tell someone about your date: Give a friend the details of where you are meeting and roughly what time you intend to leave. Better still leave your number with them, better to be safe than sorry.
• Meet your date in public: Find a spot where you are both comfortable that is fairly busy. You should safeguard against meeting in isolated places until you are more comfortable with your date and know them better.
• Arrive separately: Use your own transport. It's not a good idea to accept lifts from your date and under no circumstances, do not arrange for them to pick you up from home, or drop you there after the date.
• Short and sweet: Your first meeting should always be aimed at keeping it light hearted. Avoid a lengthy and intense first date. Have fun and take it gradually. Remember you can never force romance, if it's going to happen it will.
• Uncomfortable situations: Never feel embarrassed for protecting your own well being. If you do feel uncomfortable with your date at the first meeting, it's most likely that you're not compatible for each other. There's no point making it a long and painful experience. Explain politely and make arrangements to leave.
• Stay in control: Remember you are in control. Never be pressured into disclosing private information. If a single is making it a pressured and tense experience, avoid further contact/dates.
• Have fun: Remember online dating is about having fun. Happy searching!