How to Date Online as a Senior

If you're entering the dating scene as a senior, ease into it by meeting potential friends and love interests online. Before you begin, however, consider these tips that will not only make it a more enjoyable experience, but also a safe and secure one.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Register on a dating website that caters to seniors to meet people in the same stage of life. Many sites also offer member blogs, message boards, dating-related articles and news stories pertaining to seniors. (See Resources)

2. Be as truthful as possible by posting a current photo and divulging your true age. If you're hoping to find a true love through the website, you don't want the person to feel like you misrepresented yourself when you meet in person.

3. Correspond honestly when you meet someone you like and start chatting privately. Discuss your interests, goals and what you're specifically looking for in a "mate." Be honest about the type of relationship you're seeking. If you try to be too agreeable whenever you "meet" a new person, you may gain a lot of online friends, but never meet the person who's right for you.

4. Try not to divulge too much personal information, including your last name, home phone number, workplace or city. Unscrupulous people may use the online dating sites to mine for identity theft information. Be cautious if someone asks you extensive questions but doesn't offer an equal amount of information.

5. Take your time to get to know someone rather than rushing into meeting in person. Insist on being friends first, getting to know one another through email or phone conversations for several weeks or even months before you'll take it to a romantic level.

6. Invite one of your grown children along to "double date" when you plan to meet the online suitor in person. Although you've exchanged photos, numerous emails and maybe even talked on the phone, you can never be positive who you've been corresponding with until you meet face to face.