Meeting Up With Online Friends

Third up in our series, this QA Guide to the internet is less about the web and more about life in the real world. Indeed, it's about when one crosses into the other and how best to make that transition. So, without further ado...

I wanna meet this person!

If you've built up trust online, as discussed in our previous article 'Trust & Online Relationships', and you both want to meet up in the real world then make it happen! As ever though, we'd like to make you think about a few things and we'd urge you to take some precautions.

This seems like a good point to emphasise that QA is not a dating website and we're definitely not designed as a hook-up website, but we fully understand that there will be times when you guys wanna meet other members. It's important to us that you don't do this blindly or without consideration.

Discussing the meet up

When you both wanna meet up, it often gets a bit nerve-racking. "Will he like me?", "What if I don't like her?", "Will it be awkward?", and that's just the start. If you both decide for the first time you meet up that it's not gonna be a date, it might make it easier. There will be less expectation, and you can both take along a friend.

Staying safe

The following points are important:

• Arrange to meet in a public place during the daytime
  
• Take your friend as previously mentioned
  
• Tell another friend or your parents where and when you are going to meet up
  
• Take your mobile/cellphone

...Totally Safe!

Supposing things do go well, and one thing leads to another, then use protection or cool it until another time. And if you don't wan't things to go that far, then don't let yourself get talked into it -- just go home with your friend instead. We'd recommend you do that anyway, especially if it's the first time you've met someone.

There's no rush!

Take everything bit by bit, there's never any reason to rush into things. Good luck! :)