Whether you are just looking for friendship or looking for a date, the following advices and tips have been compiled to help you avoid the sticky situations and potential problems. They are mostly common sense. Review it as often as you like to get yourself comfortable with the online venues.

So, what should you know ...

ANONYMITY

Do not give out any personal information. If someone is pushing you into giving out your real name, home address, work address, e-mail, or phone number, they're on to something. Just walk away. Keep your personal information to yourself.

To protect your e-mail address, use the Private Messaging service to send private messages to the person. Do not e-mail even if it was offered. Keep your e-mail address private until you are comfortable with the person.

DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ

Do not believe everything you are told. Take your time to learn about the person. If something feels off, it probably is. Enjoy your conversations with the other person but take the information you are given with a grain of salt. Trust your instinct and keep your guards up.

ASK FOR A PHOTO

Like the old adage says, a photo is worth a thousand words. The photo will add more color to the person's profile and it is certainly more enjoyable when you know the other person's face. It also helps to identify the person on your first date.

Our service allows our members to upload up to three photos to our server for free so request to see the other person's photo if it is missing from their profile. Be aware that the photos may be of someone else's however.

TAKE YOUR TIME

No pressure. The nice thing about online conversations is that there is no pressure to commit into any relationship. If you do feel pressured however but are not ready for it, take it as a warning of a potential problem and walk away.

Before getting into a relationship, learn as much as you can about the other person. When you feel you are ready, arrange to have a phone conversation before meeting the other person. Do not give out your home phone number. If you make the phone call, see that caller id is blocked. Protect your own privacy.

WARNING SIGNS

If a person shows signs of abnormal behavior such as swinging moods, flaring anger, or intense frustrations, makes demeaning or disrespectful comments, or exhibits a domineering personality, you may have a problem on your hand. Walk away.

When a person lies to establish a relationship with you, you will notice obvious inconsistencies over ongoing conversations. Have fun with your converstations but watch out for inconsistencies between their profile and what they say, about their age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, and any other information.

MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME

You have established an ongoing relationship. Now you are ready to meet.

First advice, never go alone. Take a friend along, always! Choose the safest possible environment and use your own transportation. Never take the person's offer to give you a ride. If you do not drive, use a taxi or take public transportation.

Choose a safe and familiar location. Make your first meeting a brief one, no longer than two hours. If you feel good about your first meeting and like to pursue a relationship, there will a lot more time and chances to meet again later. Get your friend's first impressions.

HOW TO GET OUT OF A STICKY SITUATION

Just leave. It is always better to be safe than sorry. It is not important what the person thinks of you. Your safety comes first. Just leave.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR TRUST QUICKLY

By all means, walk the field. There are a lot of good people out there just willing to meet another great person like yourself!

But, what about the friends of friends? Wouldn't you be more comfortable knowing that they are only an arm's reach away? To help you in this process, we have created a facility to reach out from your first-level mutual friends network. Use your My Friends list to build your network. Trust can be built quickly and safely this way.

These are just some advices and tips for safe dating. Again, if you feel we have left something out of these guidelines or if you disagree with anything, please let us know!

We want you to have a safe and wonderful experience!