The first thing that comes to mind when I think of online dating is “Hot or Not” and Match.com. Although these sites could be fun and successful, they could be just as dangerous.

Sites like these can definitely make it easier to meet someone that is not in the same area as you. Also, it can help if you are a very picky person by giving you a wide variety of people with different interests. Meeting someone for the first time could be very awkward, however, since you have talked before online, it is less nerve racking. This way you at least know a little bit about the person.

According to www.pewsearch.org 5% of Americans who are in a marriage or committed relationship say they met their significant other online.

The downside of these sites is a person’s safety. Being careful with the information you put online is very important.  “According to FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 4,467 people reported being the victim of such crimes in 2012,” Consumers Digest stated in an article about online dating.

That is not even the worst part of it, what if you get catfished? Not only you are are risking yourself by going out with someone who has different intentions than you, but you are taking the risk of talking to someone who is not the person their profile shows they are.

For some people it works out great and their stories are funny and interesting to tell. Before you choose to risk online dating talk to someone who has experienced it and make sure that you want to do it.