With a slew of gay dating sites out there, finding your mister right is a whole lot easier than it used to be. But along with the ease and convenience provided by the internet also comes some issues revolving around safety. So before venturing out into the world of online dating, be sure you take a few minutes and educate yourself on a few simple steps to playing it safe.

Safeguard your privacy.
When filling out your online dating profile or immersing yourself in deep conversation with a guy online, never give out any of your personal information. If he’s a good guy and he’s talking to you for the right reasons, there is no need for him to have your last name, phone number, home address, place of business or any other identifying info.

Take it slow.
As excited as you might be to meet your potential match, be sure that you don’t rush in. There are hundreds of dating sites out there with thousands of people joining every day. With that being said, you never know who it is exactly you are communicating with. Many gay dating sites offer a chat room; this is a great tool in getting to know a guy to see if he is even compatible with you before leaping into a face to face meeting.

Watch for inconsistencies.
While chatting up your potential new man, really watch out and monitor the way in which he corresponds with you. If there are any inconsistencies in his stories or his online behaviour, mark that as a red flag—this might not be someone who you want to meet.

You’re already on the look-out for anything suspicious, and if he doesn’t have an online dating profile picture or cannot provide you with one—mark this as another red flag! It is important you that you get a current picture of the person you could eventually meet—if you don’t receive a photo, there should be no date.

Go on a safe first date.
From what you’ve been able to gather so far, you’ve established that your online prospect seems like a legitimate human being and you’re ready to take the next step. It’s time for your first date. Keep in mind the following tips and all should go smoothly:

• Use your own transportation
• Meet in a crowded, public place
• Be observant and remain aware of your surroundings
• Do not exceed more than two alcoholic beverages
• Never leave personal property unattended
• Trust your instincts
• Never feel ashamed or embarrassed by taking safety precautions