Suppose that someone does decide to pursue a relationship with someone online; either by taking it one step further with someone they met by chance, or with someone they actively sought out. Here are some tips that can help to ensure a safe and fulfilling experience.
1. Move very slow. Get to know the person as thoroughly as possible. Take the time to talk to him regularly. Pacing oneself is essential because once ties are created, they are very difficult to break. Going into a relationship with in the intention of being friends first takes the pressure off of people to be a certain type of person. The best relationships are the ones where the romance was a natural result of getting to know someone better. One woman made the man she met on a singles website wait a year and a half before she agreed to meet in person. This was after they talked extensively over the phone and on the computer. She also talked to his parents, siblings and roommate. When she was finally ready to take the step of meeting the young man, she knew that it was safe to do so. It was common sense that he would not have allowed her to interact with those closest to him if he had anything to hide.
2. Don't focus on just one person! With 6.5 billion people on the planet there is much to be said about putting all the eggs into one basket! There are many, many people who will fit a particular ideal. If someone knows more than one person who is attractive to them, they need to develop relationships with all of them. If romance is meant to be, then it will happen. Even maintaining a relationship with someone who is not entirely what we want could lead to something. The cliché still rings true that opposites do attract!
3. Ensure personal safety. Don't be too quick to give out personal information like phone numbers and specific location until it is certain a person is safe. After there is pretty good reason to believe that there is no danger in meeting someone in person, meet in a public place. Tell family or friends where the meeting will take place and with who. Provide as many details as possible in case something does happen. That way the appropriate authorities have what they need to help.