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The U.S. government first started using the Internet in the 1950s, as a tool in the cold war against Russia; however the public did not start using the Internet until the 1980s, and it was really only popularized as a social-networking tool in the late 1990s.
In the beginning, online daters were viewed as people who could not meet others in the "real" world; however as the media and youth movements popularized online dating, it became a worldwide social phenomenon with many complex rules. - The "rules" may be unspoken, but the fact remains that if you are going to commit to meeting someone online, you must be careful, brave and steadfast and have a sense of humor.
- There are varying degrees of rules for successful online dating. Naturally, there are the obvious ones. One is to be careful: Never give out personal information like bank-account numbers, Social Security numbers or a home address. However, there are more intuitive rules, like putting yourself in the other person's shoes: Try to understand what he is looking for and evaluate if you are that person.
- Once you've met someone online whom you think might be worth pursuing, ask yourself these basic questions: Is it feasible? Do we have the same short-term and long-term goals? If this person is looking for a one-night stand and you're looking for love, save yourself the heartache and move on.
- Go in with your eyes open. If you can't be sure what your potential mate's intentions are, dig deeper. Don't assume anything, and don't allow your desire for a certain outcome to cloud your judgment about a fledgling relationship.
- Online, things may not be what they appear. Always double-check facts and the timeliness of information. Google people if you can, and try to ascertain their full and honest history. Sadly, online predators are a fact of life, but with careful attention to detail, you can avoid them and find true love.
