Dating has dramatically changed throughout history. Individuals used to meet significant others only through friends, neighbors or those close to their community.
Today, men and women are faced with fast-paced lives that are often limited to work, cars and home. If meeting someone takes time then how do we reduce that to fit into the few hours a day we have to think about our personal needs outside of family and work? The answer... the Internet. Online dating has made finding, meeting and getting to "know" someone reduced to several hours, a few emails and a phone call. Is this wise? Are these people ill informed or desperate? NO. Many people have met wonderful lifelong partners through a dating site. However, others have been the victims of horrible personal crimes and/or identity theft.
Recent Headlines
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Facts
1,006,970 women and 370,990 men are stalked annually in the U.S.
[Tjaden & Thoennes. (1998). "Stalking in America," National Institute for Justice]
"Approximately one in five youth received a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet in the last year. One in thirty-three received an aggressive sexual solicitation - a solicitor who ask to meet them somewhere, called them on the telephone, sent them mail, money, or gifts."
[Wolak, Janis J.D., M.A. and Kimberly Mitchell, Ph.D. (2000). "Youth Internet Safety Survey," Crimes Against Children Research Center]
"Approximately 7 million people are victims of identity theft in a year."
[Foley, Linda & Jay. (2003). "Identity Theft: The Aftermath," Identity Theft Resource Center]
Why SODA? To help everyone, those meeting people online and those who care about those who have chosen to meet people online. This website is dedicated to safety, understanding and change.
SODA coalition membership includes law enforcement officials, social services organizations, online dating consumers, and the general public--all committed to establishing a safer online dating environment. Throughout the website, you'll find SODA's recommended tips for safer online dating, current public policy and legislative initiatives under way, news and press on the subject, and links to other organizations we believe are committed to the safety of online dating consumers. In addition to information provided by SODA, we encourage you to share your safety-related online dating story.