The past several years has seen a serge in the popularity of online dating sites. There is an extensive selection of dating sites in Australia with more launching everyday focusing on niche interests such as sexuality, religion, location and geography.
Various dating websites include related information and advice regarding online dating safety. Such advice can often include:
* Protecting your privacy, by taking steps not to divulge personal information unless it's absolutely necessary.
* Set up a specific email address for communication, by doing this it's easy to close the email account if things don't work out.
* Meet your new online friend in a public venue, and try to make the first date short. The first time you meet someone online is to simply assess any potential chemistry.
* Take steps to ensure they are who they say they are. Web cam and online dating profile photo's are the best way to be sure you're not being tricked.
* Always be aware that dating online have scam members, and never communicate with anyone who asks for help or money.
The question remains, do paid and free dating sites pose a serious risk? Various research undertaken varies...
Several years prior U.S. researchers released data suggesting that online dating could accelerate the spread of STDs due to the speed in which people can meet and interact and the availability to access online personals.
Additional research uncovered in other parts of the world determined that singles who use the internet searching for sex have greater rates of sexual practices on a casual basis as opposed to singles who do not use online dating sites. Men and women who search for sexual liaisons on the internet were also likely to meet high-risk sex partners offline as well indicating the internet merely presents an additional alternative to conventional dating options.
As a general rule, people have various ways of managing the risk when dating online. Being able to verify one's real identity prior to the first online date was the greatest concern. You can take measures to alleviate this concern by checking out their Facebook page or asking for their vehicle registration. Most people had their own method of reducing online danger and tended to follow their own processes to stay safe.