Love...       friendship...

           

...these are the things that make life worth living. If you can count your true love and dearest friends on one hand, then you know what I'm talking about.

Yes, it's true I'm married to my best friend, but it's also true that there is love and friendship to be found online. So, what have you got to lose?

Well, not much... as long as you abide by a few rules.

     Never (never ever) give out personal information over the Internet. This includes your real name, phone number, address, and personal routine (coffee shop you stop at on the way to work, the roads you drive on the way home, etc.). The reason for this is you don't know who you are talking to. Keep especially secret any details that make you unique... if your last name is JoeyJoJoShebadoah, you'd be much easier to track down than a Smith.

     Be watchful of what is said while you are chatting, especially comments about sex... someone who is openly hostile and makes things like rape into jokes is probably a person better left alone. You might want to do a little undercover detective work, and log onto the chat under a different name... see what he/she says when "you" aren't around! You might be surprised to see a completely different side.

     If you decide to meet someone you've met online (after much thought and debate... not to mention time chatting) keep your own safety in mind as your top priority. Bring a friend with you to meet him/her and meet in a public place. Make sure that you let another person know what you are doing, and arrange to make a phone call to that person once you've arrived home after your "date". Anyone who makes fun of you or refuses to honour these requests is not someone you want to meet.

So... make sure to remember that no matter what, just because someone is on the Internet doesn't mean they are who they say... and trust them as much as you would that person following you down the street at night. Use your instinct, and your head!