Technology has many benefits, not the least of which is the way it has made communication with people everywhere almost effortless. Social media is the fastest growing sector in the internet community, which probably is not a surprise to most of you. A large part of that growth is due to the increase of popular online dating sites.

The internet allows us to make instant friends; sometimes, however, we don�t know who they really are. People can �say� whatever they want online; but is it truth or fiction? Not only is it disappointing to be misled, it can prove dangerous as well.

It is each person�s responsibility to take a proactive part in their own safety. Following are some safety tips that can help you navigate the sometimes slippery slopes of the online dating community.

Pictures Can Be Misleading - It is a great thing to be able to �see� your date before actually meeting. Not everyone is posting pictures that truly represent them. It is tempting for all of us to post our best pictures. Some men might be tempted to post a picture which features their (former) full head of curly hair.

Beware of False Misrepresentation � It is easy to misrepresent one�s self by posting pictures which are outdated; some devious people post pictures of other people and say it is them. Not only can this lead to disappointment upon meeting, but it could ultimately lead to danger. If a person uses someone else�s photo and claims it is them, it could be a harbinger of danger. If they don�t want you to know who they really are, there is probably a good (and perhaps nefarious) reason.

Keep Private Details Private - Don�t immediately reveal your home or work addresses or any of your phone numbers. It is recommended that single women not post pictures of their children � unfortunately, there are pedophiles who troll these sites looking for easy access to little kids.

Stick to the truth � You don�t want to be mislead, so you don�t want to mislead others either. When asked about your body type, don�t check �slender� if you are considerably overweight. Most importantly, you want to attract people who want the real you, not some perfect fantasy person.

Have fun in the online dating world, but remember �Be Safe, Not Sorry�. Taking it slowly in the early stages may well lead to a more solid, long-lasting relationship too.

Isaiah Henry is a online dating reviewer for CupidsOnlineDating.com, which gives singles free tips, comparisons and reviews on dating services, such as Great Expectations.