The Wave of Online Dating

It can be shocking but equally true that around 20 million users visit dating sites once in a month and some of them visit more than once. Recent statistics also reveal that in the UK alone 12 million people choose  dates through online connections. The increasing data gives you a clear idea how online dating is becoming a hot trend for finding a partner of  choice. But at the same time, the question “Is it safe?” pops up in your mind. It is no wonder that the majority of persons are high on drugs who use online dating just for fun.

From Fun Purpose

Not only men, but also women are fond of using online dating sites for fun. They use multiple sites and multiple profiles to engage in more fun. Some of them use these sites for just passing time or to beat loneliness.  Others acquire multiple partners  just to boast to others about how smart he or she is. Also, there are some who use such connections for sexual means.

…To Dating Addict

Automatically, the fun purpose turns into addiction. In other words, you just don’t realize how deeply you are attached with your online partner and wasting your precious time. Also, the addiction badly affects your social and family life. You start avoiding family members and, instead, choose  to talk to your strange online partner. You can even get to a point where you don’t find happiness in social gatherings. It adversely affects your overall development. It may progress to where you start contemplating plans to meet your online partner and want to get involved with him/her in sexual activities. In conclusion,  internet dating, which is called a shortcut to love, will turn your life from fun to disaster.

…To Online Dating Scammer

This is the third and final stage where you can end up.

When the person whom you are attached to just for fun is serious about being a life partner and is taking you as a soul-mate, but you are taking advantage of  their innocence for your own sakeit means you can count yourself as a scammer.

The prime characteristic of an online dating scam is the ultimate sob story with the need for money to get out of  trouble. The online partner tries making a good relationship based on trust and love with you, but your only purpose is to use them for your own means.

The origin of online dating scams is the “African continent” with countries like Nigeria and Ghana topping the list. In fact, a classic scam in the field of online dating is the Nigeria 419 scam. Although, anyone belonging to any place can be the culprit of online dating scams.

Here is a shocking story to support the aforementioned points that will force you to pray “If this is online dating, let’s stay single.”

“Please don’t kill me”: A 22-year-old girl raped by man, 40, whom she met on a dating website, sugardaddyforme.com.”
Florida: A 22-year-old girl was subjected to a horrific sex assault by a man who is double the years older than her whom she met on a dating website.

The shocking news was covered by dailymail.co.uk. According to the victim, she registered with sugardaddyforme.com which offers to match young women with affluent men who want to pamper, mentor or spoil them.

The girl was facing financial crisis and was looking for someone who could help her financially.

On her profile, she gave the status that she was “crazy, outgoing and fun loving.”

She even set up the word “allowance” on her profile. She met a man named Mark Garcia in March 2009 and both  decided to meet at a place.

Mark, whose real name is Marcelo Alves, father of one child, brutally raped the victim in her car in an isolated driveway. He put a knife to her neck while rapping her. And she repeatedlysaid , “Please don’t kill me.”
Later the rapist was caught by the Florida police and is now facing a life term of imprisonment.

The horrific case illustrates the larger issue  of the safety of dating sites and the victim’s own character  as being responsible for her sexual abuse.

……….Be Safe While Dating

Here are some safety tips to keep your dating experience enjoyable and secure.

Fraud Awareness

Never share your personal or financial information with whom you are dating online even if you consider the person reliable. It’s better to avoid talking about financial positions during the first meeting.
Don’t give out your bank info or credit card number.

Also, don’t share your personal info such as address, phone number, etc.

There are certain aspects that you need to keep in mind:

•    Quickly asks to talk or chat  via an outside email or messaging service
•    Vanishes mysteriously from the site, then reappears under a different name
•    Talks about “fate” or “destiny”
•    Claims to be recently widowed
•    Asks for your address under the guise of sending flowers or gifts
•    Asks you for money

Identify Scammer

•    Don’t believe  in a profile picture if the picture is gorgeous. Yes, there are models and good looking people out there and scammers often use  such pictures to lure online dating companions.
•    From the beginning, if the person gives subtle hints about a poor financial situation and other emotional stories in order to get sympathy.
•    Encourages you to talk  in a private chat. Also, they may suggest  a webcam conversation.

Paid Sites

Many people firmly believe that free dating websites are not as good as paid sites to find reliable partners as paid sites weed out some people who do not have the best intentions. Also, they agree with the point that forcing someone to pay for a membership will show that the member is dedicated to finding a life partner.

Meet in Public

It’s good to start a conversation via phone if you are serious about your online mate. But try to meet in public places like restaurants, parks and coffee shops for a safe first encounter with little pressure. Don’t be in a hurry to talk about  a heart relation or decide to marry.

These are quite essential points that you need to  consider before  hooking up with an online partner. If you  want your online partner  to become a life partner, there are a few other  points to  consider.

Finally, I only want to say that advancement in technology has affected and enhanced our life from many angles, but still love, affection and relationship should not be judged and analyzed on the basis of these technologies. One cannot judge love by the number of messages, calls,  or chats received or sent. For instance, take  for examples  the Love of Romeo and Juliet and Adam and Eve.  These stories are an inspiration for the world and  they never used technology to express their love.