Put safety first when dating online

Although movies and commercials may portray online relationships ending in perfect marital bliss, Kirtley, a psychology major, said she thinks the dependence on technological communication can be a problem.

"A lot of people lack social interaction ability," she said. "So when it comes to wanting to meet other people . . . to do it through a computer relieves a lot of the social anxiety for them. You can be anybody you want to be on a computer."

And because of that potential for dishonesty, LDSSingles.com posts a list of precautions on its site. It reminds users to never give out their last name, address, phone number or other identifying information. It encourages users to be mindful of conversations and heed warning signs about attempts to steer conversations into sexual avenues.

"There is a mind-set that things are much safer (here)," said Provo Police Capt. Rick Healey. "We go places and don't really think about it, but for safety's sake we should. People should be . . . thinking ahead, especially when you're with someone that you don't know very well."

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