To date is to meet people and do activities together, like having a meal or watching an event, while assessing each one's potential as a partner in either a friendly or a romantic relationship (more on the latter).
Dating today, however, does not necessitate meeting face-to-face; dating online is becoming an accepted practice.
But like the very technology - the Internet - running it, it also has its hazards.
These dangers can be of two related categories: (1) misrepresentation and (2) misuse.
Misrepresentation Unless the dating site does background checks, it is inevitable that someone will misrepresent oneself - give a fake name, misleading photos, fabricated personality description - and deceive another dater.
One can never be too sure if what the other tells about himself/herself holds true in reality.
How damaging is it for someone to fall for a person he/she meets online only to find out later the guy/girl is a different person offline.
Deception through misrepresentation is in itself a major drawback of dating online.
It becomes even worse when one deliberately misrepresent oneself not only to fool someone to go out with him/her but to cause the dangers cited below.
Misuse Online dating is supposed to be a fun and exciting experience.
Internet dating sites are established to provide people an innovative means to get acquaintance(s), make friends, and, with a bit of luck, establish a relationship.
However, some people use dating sites for purposes other than what they are intended for.
Fraud, spam, and scam are some online dating dangers related to misuse of a dating site.
An abuser will subscribe to a dating site, befriend as many potential victims, and once he/she gets the other's trust extort money from them.
One tactic done by a man is by pretending to be a rich businessman and encouraging the other to invest on his actually non-existent business.
A scam is also going around in the online dating scene.
The modus: the abuser is from another country, borrows money from the other dating site member, and stops communicating once the money is wired.
Some subscribe to a dating site only to get email addresses to be used for spamming.
Another activity that is contrary to the purpose of online dating done by other members is using the dating site as a hook-up site and meet online daters to gratify their sensuality.
There are of course daters who are positive that they will meet the right person through online dating and not just become someone's sexual partner.
Such people may be sexually assaulted when they meet those with different motive just like the lady who was reported to be raped and killed by the man she knew through online dating.
Precaution Proceed with caution when deciding to try online dating.
Have a separate e-mail address to be used only for online dating.
Do not divulge information such as home phone number and address.
Never send money to a person one meets only via online dating.
Choose a public place when meeting in person.
Online dating has its risks but can be avoided with proper precautionary measures.
Being aware that these online dating dangers do exist is the first step.
Dating today, however, does not necessitate meeting face-to-face; dating online is becoming an accepted practice.
But like the very technology - the Internet - running it, it also has its hazards.
These dangers can be of two related categories: (1) misrepresentation and (2) misuse.
Misrepresentation Unless the dating site does background checks, it is inevitable that someone will misrepresent oneself - give a fake name, misleading photos, fabricated personality description - and deceive another dater.
One can never be too sure if what the other tells about himself/herself holds true in reality.
How damaging is it for someone to fall for a person he/she meets online only to find out later the guy/girl is a different person offline.
Deception through misrepresentation is in itself a major drawback of dating online.
It becomes even worse when one deliberately misrepresent oneself not only to fool someone to go out with him/her but to cause the dangers cited below.
Misuse Online dating is supposed to be a fun and exciting experience.
Internet dating sites are established to provide people an innovative means to get acquaintance(s), make friends, and, with a bit of luck, establish a relationship.
However, some people use dating sites for purposes other than what they are intended for.
Fraud, spam, and scam are some online dating dangers related to misuse of a dating site.
An abuser will subscribe to a dating site, befriend as many potential victims, and once he/she gets the other's trust extort money from them.
One tactic done by a man is by pretending to be a rich businessman and encouraging the other to invest on his actually non-existent business.
A scam is also going around in the online dating scene.
The modus: the abuser is from another country, borrows money from the other dating site member, and stops communicating once the money is wired.
Some subscribe to a dating site only to get email addresses to be used for spamming.
Another activity that is contrary to the purpose of online dating done by other members is using the dating site as a hook-up site and meet online daters to gratify their sensuality.
There are of course daters who are positive that they will meet the right person through online dating and not just become someone's sexual partner.
Such people may be sexually assaulted when they meet those with different motive just like the lady who was reported to be raped and killed by the man she knew through online dating.
Precaution Proceed with caution when deciding to try online dating.
Have a separate e-mail address to be used only for online dating.
Do not divulge information such as home phone number and address.
Never send money to a person one meets only via online dating.
Choose a public place when meeting in person.
Online dating has its risks but can be avoided with proper precautionary measures.
Being aware that these online dating dangers do exist is the first step.