Dear Simone,
Here are my top five tips to help one practice safe online dating:

Meet when YOU are ready
The beauty of meeting and relating online is that you can collect information gradually, later choosing whether to pursue the relationship in the offline world. You never are obligated to meet anyone, regardless of your level of online intimacy.

Watch for red flags
Pay attention to displays of anger, intense frustration or attempts to pressure or control you. Acting in a passive-aggressive manner, making demeaning or disrespectful comments or any physically inappropriate behavior are all red flags.

Meet in a safe place
When you choose to meet in 'real life', always tell someone you know where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date's name and telephone number with your friend. Rather than have your date to pick you up at home, provide your own transportation, and meet in a public (crowded) place, and when the date is over, leave on your own as well.

Take extra caution outside your area
If you are flying in from another city, arrange for your own car and hotel room. Do not disclose the name of your hotel and never allow your date to make the arrangements for you. If it doesn't work out, you'll have a place to go back to.

Never do anything that you feel unsure about
If you are in any way afraid of your date, use your best judgment to diffuse the situation and get out of there. But then again, you never know, the stars may all line up perfectly, and you'll find you've met your soul mate. You certainly wouldn't be the first -- thousands of happy couples have met online.

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