Online Dating in Canada eh?

The online dating industry has simply exploded over the past few years. If you're willing to search cyberspace for potential love, then you might get lucky. Just a computer and a live Internet connection will get you started. A few mouse clicks later, and you're in touch with millions of potential love connections.

Dating sites fall into two basic categories: paid sites and free sites. The free sites have an obvious advantage - no fees. But there can be many drawbacks just under their fee-free surface. On the other hand - there is a reason the paid sites charge a fee: the paid sites are optimized to elevate your user experience. And they also offer a measure of safety for their users.

You have to keep one important thing in mind when choosing a dating site: they're not all created equal. You'll get what you do - or don't - pay for. Using a free dating site could mean putting yourself at risk. It could also open the door to potential dangers.

If these sites are in business to make money, how can the so-called free sites operate without charging for their services? The free sites just don't offer its members the "bells and whistles." Free webcam chatting or video hosting capabilities don't exist with the free sites. More importantly, you will not find a responsive customer service team ready to answer your questions. And surprise! Your free dating website might not even offer a phone number for customer support.

Besides less member features and bad customer service, there is something you can expect from the freebies: you will experience plenty of advertising! Those banner pop-ups and pop-unders will plague you every time you log on. You'll also find your e-mailbox loaded with advertising at least once a week. And last but certainly not least, they may sell your personal information to large advertising networks!

Are you still considering free dating sites as a viable choice?

Let's say you go ahead with the free dating site and find someone interesting. Your e-mail conversations go so well that after a few weeks, you start talking by phone. You enjoy his or her virtual company. Then it's time to meet the old-fashioned way - in person. Since there are no fees that must be paid to use the dating service, this person could be virtually anybody. He or she could have uploaded false images and provided false personal information in their profile. In fact, his or her entire personality might be fictitious - created to lure you to a personal meeting. Regrettably, this isn't all that unusual - it happens every day. Not everyone who does this has an ulterior motive, or intends to harm you, but occasionally, that is exactly the intention.

But what if you do meet this person you discovered at a free dating site - and are robbed or otherwise assaulted, what information about your date can you tell the police? There's just no information about who this person is. No credit card on record. No official payment information on record at all. Where will the police start their search?

None of the problems mentioned in this article exist on a paid dating site. While the answer to paying fees might be yes, the trade off is a much better user experience. And you won't be hassled by paid ads and junk e-mails.

With the user interface on paid dating sites, you can perform elaborate, detailed searches. And when you connect, you have more communication options other than e-mail. Some sites offer instant messaging or even webcam chatting.

Paid sites offer another perk, one that is very subtle and often undervalued. If you were to get lucky in love and planned to meet someone face to face, you'll know the site has his or her real information on file.

For more information on Safe Internet Dating

Most seniors are computer savvy these days, which opens a world of opportunities to meet other seniors online.

I would like to talk about the safety precautions you should take.

1. do not give a lot of personal information to someone you are chatting online. Give a general location of where you live, especially if you live in a small town.

2. never talk about your finances. For example that you are a widow and your husband left you very comfortable financially.

3. arrange a meeting in a public place, or even ask if you can bring a friend with you for a meeting at a coffee shop. If the person is not happy with this arrangement, then you may be better off.

4. Your first meeting should be a coffee shop rather then dinner. It is always awkward figuring out who will pay for the meal, and if you do not like the person and you are having dinner it could be a long night.

5. Always use a internet based email address that does not have your name it. Example: daisy045@ a hotmail address or yahoo, etc.

Take time to get to know the person online, their likes and dislikes. If they are a non smoker, pets, have children, disabilities, etc. These can cause problems if you do not know up front. Honesty is best, not everyone is looking for a man or woman that is a 10 out of 10. You have special qualities that someone needs to know about, so typing a good profle is very important. Don't be negative, talk about the things that you admire in a person, the kinds of things you like...i.e. gardening, travelling, maybe places that you have visited.

Seniors dating online is safe if you follow basic safety tips.

Happy Hunting