Safety Tips

Here are our Top tips for dating safely online and offline:

1. Protect your identity.

You control your online dating experience and should choose a pace to suit you. We suggest you remain anonymous using your member name until you are ready to give out any personal information. Don’t share your real name, personal phone numbers, place of work, home address or any other identifying information while chatting or emailing until you are comfortable doing so.
Never post personal contact information in your profile e.g. last name, e-mail address, home address, work place or phone numbers. Don’t risk having this information fall into the wrong hands.
SingleParents.ie protects your true e-mail address, so members cannot send mails directly to that address unless you decide to also give it to them.

2. Be Honest.

Give an accurate description of yourself in your profile and add a current picture. Misleading descriptions or photos can result in problems between members.

3. Block any Abusers.

If a member sends you inappropriate messages, you can block them at any stage by clicking the block icon in their profile. But it is important to let us know if a serious incident arises so that we can take action.
Stop communicating with any member who pressures you for personal information or who won’t seem to take no for an answer. People who are serious about online dating will understand your need to take your time.

4. Be Inquisitive.

Ask a lot of questions – Watch out for any inconsistencies in what you are being told or in the behaviour of who you are communicating with, for example:
Details about themselves e.g. interests, employment, etc. keep changing.
Appearance is very different from how they described themselves.
Refuses to speak to you on the phone after establishing ongoing online communication.
Request a photo – As you are communicating with another member, it can be fun and useful to see a photo of them. All members can put up a private photo, which can only be accessed when the member gives permission for another member to see their photo.

Always trust your instincts – Common sense is the best safety tool. Protect yourself by taking your time and thinking through fully any decision you make.

5. Meet when you are ready
Firstly Prepare

sure – You are never obliged to meet anyone. Even if you decide to arrange a meeting, you can always change your mind if you don’t feel totally comfortable.
on the phone Before meeting someone it is useful to talk on the phone as this will tell you a lot about a persons social and communication skills. Protect your security when using the phone by withholding your telephone number or using a mobile/public phone. Only give out your phone number when you are totally at ease.

1st Meeting:

Do it in Public – Choose a safe public place, such as a pub or restaurant. A good tip is to go somewhere you are familiar with.
Tell a Friend – Let someone know where you are going on your date & who with.
Don’t ask your date to pick you up. Provide your own travel arrangement & take your mobile with you.
Let your date know how to recognise you if you haven’t exchanged photos.
If you feel uncomfortable at any stage, excuse yourself to call a friend for advice or ask for the assistance of someone else on the scene. Never feel embarrassed, your safety is your top priority.

Remember do not get overly concerned, basic common sense and intuition are your best guide, but its good to be safety–aware.

Please contact us if you have any queries.

The team at SingleParents.ie