Sexual Predators and Online Dating Safety Tips for Single Parents

Being a single parent can be difficult. Simply paying the bills and balancing work and home can take most of your energy and time. As a result, many single parents turn to dating sites in order to meet someone in the hopes of forming a new relationship. Unfortunately for some women across the country they formed relationships with "Mr. Wrong;" relationships that will cost them more than a broken heart but the trust of their children, family and friends as well as for some of them many years in a federal prison.

Steven Demink was single, childless, without any lasting career or college education. However, that didn't stop him from creating an alter-ego that unfortunately too many women fell for on dating sites and chat rooms on the Internet. He claimed to be a single parent, father to a 14 year old girl and a psychologist. He claimed to be handsome, and used photos of male models. Sounds like the perfect package doesn't it? I mean who wouldn't want to be involved with a loving father, educated man who most would assume earns a good living. Having a daughter was "icing" on the cake, because we all know how attractive a man can be with children, just check out the mall sometime, even my father was approached by women as he pushed my child's stroller around.

What's so bad about lying on a dating site? How many of us actually put down our real age or weight? But women in Florida, Oregon, Illinois, Georgia, Indiana, Idaho and New Hampshire found out that he had lied about more than just his job and looks, he lied by persuading them to sexually abuse their children as a means of "therapy" and then send him the images or videos via email or live video over the web.

Use these five tips to avoid being "duped" by your online dating experience and putting your children at risk.

Just the facts. Joe Friday on the television police drama "Dragnet" had this one right. Share just the facts and no more in your online dating profile. Less is more and keeping some of your life protected from prying eyes can keep both you and your children safe when attempting to use a relationship/dating website.

Check the facts. After spending some time talking on the Internet; when it came to for a face to face meeting, I asked my husband to bring his divorce papers with him. Just because he checked the little box didn't make it so.

Protect your privacy. Share that you are a single parent, yes - the names, ages, date of birth or school of your children no. These aren't things anyone needs to know until you are sure they are going to be a significant part of your life. They don't need to know where you are going or when you will be there. After all, the last thing you need is a not so cyber stalker.

If there is any doubt about it, forget about it. If your online love interest asks, pressures, or threatens you to do anything you are uncomfortable with like posting family photos or pictures of you or your children (think those cute bathtub time photos) then forget about it, especially when any of this information or images could be viewed in a sexual light. Report any sexually inappropriate chats, messages or request to your dating site.

Online dating sites can be a legitimate method of meeting people, and possibly even forming lasting friendships, relationships or lead to marriage. I know, because my husband of 8 years and I met online. There are many advantages to using relationships sites, but there are many disadvantages and pitfalls to avoid. There is no need to kiss a whole lot of frogs before you meet your prince or princess charming.

Read more from this contributor:

What You Can Get Besides a Job by Posting Your Resume Online

Check Cashing and Mystery Shopping Scams

Is Your Child's Identity Safe

Sources:

Personal experience

Professional experience - online safety and dangers

Associated Press- Man Pleads Guilty to Duping Moms into Abusing Kids