Top Safety Rules for Anyone Considering a Christian Dating Website

Just because you’re interested in meeting like-minded Christians online doesn’t mean everyone you run into will be safe. You still have to protect yourself when it comes to online dating because you never know what’s out there. If you were meeting people at a singles mixer at a church, you would still be aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety, right? It’s the same when meeting Christian singles online.

Start Out Slowly and Anonymously

Ensure the site keeps your identity anonymous. You don’t want to share any personal information with potential suitors. Keep it light in the beginning and see what happens. There’s no reason to rush things. If the person on the other side of the screen has ulterior motives, he or she may be pushing things along so an in-person meeting happens quickly. Don’t let this happen. Allow things to move along organically and always report any users who make you feel uncomfortable. All professional online dating services take their users’ safety seriously and most will quickly resolve any inappropriate advances from members.

Keep Personal Information Personal

Keep your personal information personal as long as you feel the need to. Never feel that you have to share anything with a member you aren’t 100% comfortable with. Never assume that because you are on a Christian dating site, you will be safe and that the site will only attract users with good character. A messaging system, both direct messages and instant messages, will be in place by the dating site. This allows you to interact with members without revealing your personal email address or IM name. Use the site’s services as long as you are a member. You may want to do this even after meeting a member in person, since it will allow you to easily cut them off if you aren’t interested in a second meeting.

Stay Guarded While Chatting

You may feel comfortable chatting with someone via direct messaging or IM-ing, but never let yourself become so comfortable that you divulge personal information. Your real name, where you work and the area in which you live should be kept to yourself. Be careful not to let these things slip out when chatting with a potential date. You don’t want this person to be able to learn more about you on their own, using social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

Two Is Safer Than One

When the time comes to meet someone in person, be sure you enlist the help of a Christian friend or family member. Meeting someone online, whether it’s to cultivate a friendship or a possible romantic relationship is becoming more and more and accepted. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about and it’s important to remember your safety comes first. Ask a close friend from church or a family member to go with you to the meeting place. This may seem silly at first, but for anyone who’s serious about meeting you, he or she will understand this is simply a precaution. The third party can split after it’s established you’re safe.

Create a Backup Plan

If you feel this is too forward, tell a friend or family member where you’re going when meeting someone from a Christian dating site. Let the friend or family member know where you’re meeting the person, how long you’ve been chatting and how well you know the potential date. After 10 or 20 minutes on the date, have your friend or family member call to check on you. You can come up with a phrase to let him or her know you’re OK and choosing to proceed with the date, or you can use the phone call as an excuse to bail on the date.