Cyber dating can be fun or foolish, depending on the way you go about it.

One of the best things about the Internet is that it has made cyber-dating possible. Unlike real life dating, cyber-dating has many advantages, all of which make it more fun and funky. Consider this: To start with its relatively inexpensive. All you need to do is spend an hour at the cyber café to chat with people you meet over the Net and that can be cheaper than buying a meal for two at the closest Udipi café.

Secondly, its pressure free. Unlike real life dating when the boy meets girl and looks, personality, etc get into play, on the Internet the best that you can do is just talk to one another or more specifically write to one another. There is no pressure to meet, to see, to like, dislike, etc. What's better, how a person writes can give you a good idea about their intellect. You can take your time and decide whether you really have much to say to each other or no. Plus you can be open and frank and can communicate without any embarrassments since you aren't really face to face. For many people communicating well right from the beginning is a great way to start a relationship.

However, as everyone knows not everything on the Net is rosy. And it pays to be careful about dating someone you meet on the Net. After all, when you first meet, there is little to go by, about what the person tells you. And all that he or she says need not always be true.

Yes, you may find yourself in love with a person who is years younger or older than you, who is not in the least bit physically attractive to you in real life, or is someone who has a family and kids - a part they omitted telling you about online. Remember, there are very few ways to find out anything about a person in the cyber world unlike the real world.

If cyber dating is all that you want to do, then it smart to protect your privacy, to the extent of protecting your real identity. For example, its best to have an email account other than with your internet service provider's account. Ideally, go for one that does not reveal anything about your geographical location, unless you feel ready to give that person your real address. Its also sensible to be careful about the amount of personal information you give out to anyone you meet on the web.

If you do decide to meet in person, someone you have met on the Net, ensure that you get all the facts about the person. Inform your family or friends where and when you are going to meet the person. Its also important to meet the person at a public place. And its best to pass on the photograph of the person you are going to meet to someone you know. Never commit to meeting your cyber date alone, take along someone with you.

If anything makes you uncomfortable about the person, don't hesitate to snap ties. Trust your instinct and don't ever feel pressurized to meet the person again if you don't want to. Don't fall prey to requests for money, gifts, photographs or anything that may seem weird to you.

Finally, if things don't go the way you plan and you do feel manipulated or used, make sure you to talk to someone about it and report it to the police.