Safety

As with any kind of dating, if you do decide to get in contact with someone, keep your details brief and private. There are a lot of strange people out there - even if they do have nice, normal-looking photographs. Follow our internet dating safety tips, as well as the general safety tips if you decide to meet up.

• Don't choose a sexually provocative handle, otherwise you'll get a flood of dirty messages. So girls - avoid Bondagegirl, Sexgoddess or Pornqueen, and be wary of men who give themselves equivalent handles. They're unlikely to be looking for romance.
• You must set up an anonymous e-mail account, such as hotmail, or something similar. Do not use your real name when setting up the account - there's simply too much information (such as your address and telephone number) that can be obtained from it.
• When contacting people, watch for stories or aspects about them that sound 'iffy' or evasive, such as inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status or employment.
• Watch out for red flags - pay attention to displays of anger, intense frustration or attempts to pressure or control you.
• Don't accept everything you read, use your instincts and judgement.
• Block or report anyone offensive - most websites ban offenders after a number of bad reports.
• Take your time ... and be wary of anyone who says they have fallen in love with you almost immediately.
• After you've written for a time, perhaps even spoken on the phone, and feel this person is trustworthy, then you can give them more information about yourself.
• Be very cautious about giving away your mobile phone number - wait until your instincts tell you that it's right.
• Don't give out your business address unless you really feel you can trust them - you don't want them stalking your office.
• If you are interested, try to meet up in person within about a month of you meeting online. People who delay or put off that first meeting may have something to hide.
• Arrange to meet in a public place, like a bar, pub or coffee shop.
• Always tell a friend or relative where you will be and ask them to ring your mobile an hour or so into the date.
• Always make your own way to the date.
• If you feel at all uncomfortable, threatened or compromised, excuse yourself and leave.
• Girls - don't get into his car, don't ask him back to your place on the first date, and definitely don't go back to his!