There are so many dangers lurking around every corner of the internet; there are scams, viruses, and malevolent people. Online dating is like taking a leap of faith. Since most dating websites don 't offer background searches, the process involves getting to know a complete stranger. That stranger could be just about anyone from a rapist to a serial killer. Online dating websites use personal information such as age, contact information, photos, and location, to find users their ideal matches. This information, however, can be used by people who want to do them harm as well. Sharing photos and personal information online can lead to being pursued by a stalker, rapist, or even a murderer. Giving out personal information online is never a wise decision, so why are dating websites any different? The fact of the matter is that people feel a false sense of security from these websites because they are not meeting everyone they match with in person. Although some websites offer criminal background checks, most do not. One website that does offer background checks is True.com (Peters). The site recently sued a convicted sex offender in California who tried to register himself as an eligible bachelor (Peters). For the dating websites that don’t provide background checks, usually result in cases like Jeffrey Marsalis. Marsalis attacked and raped 21 different women, that he met through dating websites. He later was convicted of assault. The victims of his crimes described that they were “never the same,” after the attacks. The victims felt betrayed that someone that they thought they knew and trusted, did them harm (Peters). It can also cause trauma to the victims. While being raped and attacked are the more serious physical dangers, there are also threats to your financial and identity security. For example, in 2009, a man from Tennessee was arrested after swindling
There are so many dangers lurking around every corner of the internet; there are scams, viruses, and malevolent people. Online dating is like taking a leap of faith. Since most dating websites don 't offer background searches, the process involves getting to know a complete stranger. That stranger could be just about anyone from a rapist to a serial killer. Online dating websites use personal information such as age, contact information, photos, and location, to find users their ideal matches. This information, however, can be used by people who want to do them harm as well. Sharing photos and personal information online can lead to being pursued by a stalker, rapist, or even a murderer. Giving out personal information online is never a wise decision, so why are dating websites any different? The fact of the matter is that people feel a false sense of security from these websites because they are not meeting everyone they match with in person. Although some websites offer criminal background checks, most do not. One website that does offer background checks is True.com (Peters). The site recently sued a convicted sex offender in California who tried to register himself as an eligible bachelor (Peters). For the dating websites that don’t provide background checks, usually result in cases like Jeffrey Marsalis. Marsalis attacked and raped 21 different women, that he met through dating websites. He later was convicted of assault. The victims of his crimes described that they were “never the same,” after the attacks. The victims felt betrayed that someone that they thought they knew and trusted, did them harm (Peters). It can also cause trauma to the victims. While being raped and attacked are the more serious physical dangers, there are also threats to your financial and identity security. For example, in 2009, a man from Tennessee was arrested after swindling