When online dating, you need just have a certain guard up. Though you are not face to face and it may feel safe, you can inadvertently reveal things about yourself before you really know who you are talking to. Just like when you are on a date and you have guard up so you should have that same guard when interacting online with someone.

Usually, most people you meet through online dating will be great, honest, good people. But because you can’t see the person’s reaction or really look into their eyes, you can’t gauge everything about the person very accurately. Body language reveals a lot so you should take extra precautions when thinking about getting into online dating.

Sometimes, you may find you get so comfortable with someone online that you reveal more details than you should to someone who, for all intents and purposes is a complete stranger. Because you feel safe in your home and you are having fun, it seems okay to share more but all too often people end up giving away details such as where you live, place of work, places you go, etc… These pieces of information could be used against you or cause you problems you really don’t need.

There are a few simple things you can do to avoid putting yourself in a compromising position.

Be aware that you are talking to a stranger who could be a predator, poser or liar. Not really there for the same reasons you are but looking to exploit the situation. A lot of people create fake identities online.

Don’t include personal information in your profile like home address, phone number place of employment, etc…You don’t need to give that much detail upfront in order to get to know someone.

Use the IM or email feature if the online dating service you are using offers it. It’s a much safer way to communicate rather than giving away personal email addresses that you use for other things.

If the website does not have email or IM, create a separate email address and use that. Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo are all great, free options.

Don’t be coerced into giving away info you are not comfortable revealing. You are allowed to say no and should if they are pressuring you for personal info. The beauty of being online is that you are in control.

Be cautious and think critically when you are speaking with this person. Look for strange changes in behavior or mood changes. These could be clues that you too are not on the same page.

It can be easy to”fall in love” online, you are often only seeing the great side of people. Always be cautious and move ahead slowly. You can’t really go wrong that way.

Make sure you have seen a few photos of the person you are communicating with. This is not only to get an idea if you are physically interested in the person, but also to check for consistency. If it’s a fake, they are less likely to have 3 recent photos that match up. Just ask for more pictures if they don’t post them. This is not to say dating should be based solely on physical attraction but it’s a fair request and a safety precaution.

Make sure that after you have chatted a whole bunch with them online and you are ready to move to the phone, give them your cell phone rather than home phone number. This keeps your home safe as less info can be traced and also gives you a chance to get an idea of the level of education, politeness and social skills this person has.

If you are at the point where you are ready to meet up in person, make sure you have told a friend or family member where you are going and the time you expect to be gone. Have someone you can call if something goes wrong and you want to get out of the situation. It’s not a bad idea to have a friend physically nearby, not in view but able to come help if you need it.

Overall, online dating can be a lot of fun but your safety is the most important thing. If your instincts tells you something is wrong, you are more than likely right so go with it. Use common sense and have fun.