datemymate™ Safety
The dating game can be a fun game to play, but like all games you have to play it safely. At datemymate™, because we rate your safety very highly, we have put together some guidelines so that everyone can have some good honest fun! The aim of datemymate™ is to help you make contact with others. Yes, you are responsible for your own safety, but please take the time to read these guidelines.
Protect your identity
The greatest benefit of using the site to make contact with others is that it gives you a chance to begin chatting with other users without first having to give them your email address or personal details. When you first make contact with someone, ONLY use the messaging on datemymate™ This ensures your safety and reveals no contact details. We like to make a point of saying, DO NOT put your personal details - such as phone numbers, emails etc - on your profile or in your datemymate™ messages.
Arranging a Date
Once you have been chatting with someone on datemymate&trade you should only agree to meet if you feel comfortable with the arrangement. If you feel you have gathered enough information about them and are ready to meet them in person, you may want to share some of your contact information with them. Here are some great safety tips:
Use a free email account such as gmail or hotmail that you can set up for this purpose. You can always delete it later if you are unhappy with the communication.
Get mobile and use a mobile phone if you decide to call them. You can withhold your own number when you first call, and check the caller's ID, or block a call if you have given your number to someone and later decide you don't want to communicate with them.
When you make contact give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Don't continue to correspond if:
- you feel doubtful
- you feel the other person is not being honest or straightforward about themselves
- you feel you are being pressured into making a date
In particular, be alert to situations where the other person:
- is asking for personal information you are not comfortable about giving out
- starts to contradict things they have said about themselves in earlier messages
- won't answer your own questions about them
- won't send you a photo if they don't have one online and you ask for one
Meeting Up
If you've got to the stage where you feel you would really like to meet the other person you'll be feeling excited, maybe a bit nervous, not necessarily your cool, calm and collected self. So look after yourself by following some sensible rules - especially on your first date.
Make your own way to the venue and your own way home again.
Take your mobile.
Meet in a public place that you're familiar with and where there will be others about.
Let a good friend know what you're up to, where you'll be, and who it is on the site you're meeting up with. (Now's the time to call in a favour from the Meddler who landed you in this situation in the first place!) Going out with a group or on a double date can be a good idea, too.
Don't drink too much - it's good to stay in control so that you know you are safe and your personal details are safe. Also, remember to watch your drink!
It's a good idea to have a plan should you feel uncomfortable and want to leave. It might be a later appointment, or you could arrange for a friend to ring. And if the venue starts to empty out you should move to where there are others, or think about putting your exit plan into action.
Don't be embarrassed about appearing a bit wary. Anyone who's worth it is not going to mind. And if you take things at a gentle pace to begin with, you'll feel more comfortable and you'll get a better idea of whether the other person is someone you'd want to meet again.
Always stay in control -- don't let someone pressurize you into something, say no forcefully if need be.
Remember; TELL US if you have met someone who seems to be dishonest, or someone who made you feel uncomfortable; Report abuse.
And lastly -- you like the person and have been on quite a few dates... USE PROTECTION!
It works both ways
It's important to be honest while using datemymate™. We're wanting everyone on datemymate™ to have a fun and safe experience. Naturally, you will want the other person to be honest with you. So remember, they will also want you to be honest with them.
If someone gets in touch with you in a friendly way, be friendly back. If you are really not sure that you want to get back in touch with them, it's better not to respond at all. Treat the other members of the site with an honest and safe approach and you will have fun.
Safety First
Take it slow and make sure to get to know them on the site first. If things become uncomfortable at this stage you can stop online communications with a person at any time by clicking on the block member button on their profile page.
If you are meeting in person and are feeling unconformable in the other person's company, it is time to leave. Remember if a situation feels unsafe or you feel threatened call the Police.
If you do think that someone using the site is behaving in an abusive, dishonest or offensive manner, let us know. We can look into the situation on your behalf without the other person being informed that it is you who has alerted us.