Online Dating Advice for Teens
With the expansion of social networking sites, an increasing number of teenagers have turned to online dating to find a match. There are benefits to online dating for teens that may make it well worth the effort. However, there are several safety issues, especially for young people. It is of utmost importance to consider these issues to ensure you avoid dangerous situations that may come about through meeting a person online.
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Ways to Date Online
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Most teenagers stick to websites and programs that are not necessarily specific to dating to meet people. The reason for this is that most online dating websites require you to be 18 years of age or older to become a member. Teenagers depend on social networking websites like "Facebook," "MySpace," and "Friendster." Teenagers are given the option to create profiles, detailing their interests and relationship status. They can post pictures and even suggest that they are looking for a relationship. Teenagers can also meet each other online through chat programs like "AOL Instant Messenger." They can find other teenagers anonymously with similar interests in chat rooms. Teenagers can meet and get to know each other through these websites and continue relationships via email.
Benefits to Online Dating
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The greatest benefit to meeting people online is that the Internet creates a larger pool of potential partners. You are free to look beyond the people you already know from school or other local activities. Teenagers tend to get to know each other well when they talk online because the relationship is solely focused on conversation instead of physical activity. Internet dating also allows teens to narrow their searches specifically to other teens with similar interests. For example, if you want to find someone online with a specific religious preference, you may go to a chat room that features that preference.
Safety Considerations
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The greatest disadvantage to online dating is that it is easy for people on the other end of the computer conversation to lie. Unfortunately, the anonymous nature of these websites and chat rooms leads to potentially dangerous situations when it comes to dating, especially for teenagers. You never know who is at the other end of a conversation, and it is important to remember this when getting to know a person online. The following are some ways to avoid potentially dangerous situations:
Do not give anyone personal information about you like your address, phone number, school you attend, places you frequent or a social security number.
Do not divulge any information that will lead to revealing personal information. For example, if you mention a specific teacher at your school by name, a person may be able to figure out what school you attend. Also if you play for a sports team, a person may be able to track down a practice field where you frequent.
Talk on the phone; you are less likely to be fooled by a person's age or even gender. Just be sure to be careful about giving out your phone number. Insist on calling the other person, and be sure to block your number ahead of time.
Be open about the people you meet online. Talk to friends and family about someone you are interested in on the Internet. Sometimes it is easier for someone you know well to tell if something suspicious is going on than it is for you if you are in the midst of a situation.
If you do decide to meet the person you have been dating online, be sure to meet in a public place. You should also take someone along with you. For example, you could agree to meet at a baseball game and each of you could bring some friends along.
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