Do You Need A Virtual Chaperone?
by Mike Rounds

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, people used to begin relationships by becoming pen pals. Now with the Internet, we’ve become virtual keyboard pals.

There are, however, some vast differences from days gone by. The advantages of e-mail and other related Internet tools are speed and the ease of keyboarding. The disadvantage is that there are far too many opportunities for unwanted individuals to read your most private correspondence plus, the sheer number of people that you’re going to be able to address creates the possibility for unwanted individuals to invade your virtual privacy and perhaps even your physical life.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t begin and maintain on-line relationships but a cautionary note says you should learn how to safely utilize this dynamic medium.

Safety training and equipment is a part of most of the things we enjoy like seat belts and air bags for sports cars, safety vests and spare air for scuba diving, and a reserve parachute for skydiving.

The easy access to millions of people around the world via the Net is always there and the temptation to involve us with other citizens of the world of Cyberspace is ever present. But remember that along with this ease comes the ability of others to invade our lives, sometimes, on an unwanted basis.

The simple answer to avoiding inconvenient and perhaps even dangerous situations like identity theft, credit card fraud, and relationships based on misrepresentations is to use the electronic equivalent of a chaperone. Historically, it has proven to be one of the most effective ways to insure the purity and honesty of relationships.

Chaperoning involved the scrutiny of individuals before introductions are made. In a world long past, this could be done by letter and personal references. Now, in the age of global communication and the Internet, miscommunication, erroneous information, and fabricated backgrounds, require that background checks be compiled and validated by computers and individuals trained in their effective usage.

Great Expectations® has been providing electronic chaperoning and a secure place for people to meet and interact in total safety and honesty for 18 years. During their years of operation, they have positioned themselves in 50 cities and provided services for 175,000 people.

Using secure computers, background checks, and reference scrutiny that is second to none, Great Expectations® has created a safe haven for persons who want to develop virtual relationships with the possibility of turning them into physical relationships without fear of compromising their integrity, financial position, and physical well being.

The Internet and its massive capabilities should be an enjoyable part of the solution to your dating and relationship quest – not part of the problem. It’s a wonderful collection of tools for establishing and maintaining fulfilling interactions, creating virtual relationships, dating, friendships, and life-long commitments.

Before plunging into the concept unprepared, seriously investigate an organization like Great Expectations® so you can concentrate on finding that “right person” and not be looking over your “Cyber Shoulder” for an unwanted presence lurking there.

Mike Rounds is a professional speaker and one of the country’s leading authorities on the effective use and application of the Internet. Visit his web site at www.MikeRounds.com.