Ask the Cyber-Dating Expert

Listen to this week’s Ask the Cyber-Dating Expert Radio Show, where you can learn about how to get a credential from Honesty Online. This simple service will let potential dates know you are the real you. After signing up, you will receive a badge to proudly display on your online dating profile or Facebook profile.

You can access their service with their new Facebook Application, or go directly to their site to sign up. Learn how simple it is and how much value it adds to your credibility by having a credential with Honesty Online.

The subject of authenticity in an online dating profile is a HOT Topic! 

Just this week, I appeared on FOX-News on this subject, where I told singles to be authentic in their online dating profiles. When I returned home from San Diego, I found out that Brad Pitt, who is on the August issue of WIRED Magazine, gave his two-cents and suggested that singles who are online dating should lie about how much money they make on their profile. 

In my book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating, I list the top ten rules of netiquette for online daters.  One of these rules is the  ”cut-off” rule. I created the rule when I saw a male profile of a 53 year old who was claiming to be 40. Thirteen years? Men complain about women lying about their age, but I was stunned to see it in the other direction as well.

I decided there should be a cut-off rule, only because we can’t force singles to be honest online. It’s my belief that you should post your accurate age. However, since many will not, I simply suggested that singles should not take off more than 5-10 years off their age or weight in an online dating profile, if they insist on following the trend.

While I don’t promote lying about your age, I can’t stop the fact that it is so common. I add in my book that you should come clean on the first date or on the phone about your real age. I personally believe in telling the truth, but stretching the truth about your age, weight, and financial status online is the norm for many online daters – hence the “cut-off rule” has merit.

According to the Wired Article, Pitt states, “Everyone lies online. In fact, readers expect you to lie. If you don’t, they’ll think you make less than you actually do. So the only way to tell the truth is to lie.” He has a point as singles reaching a pivotal birthday, usually take at least 2-5 years off their age to remain in a search. 

Is it time to come clean and be authentic in your online dating profile?  I think so, and this week’s radio show will feature a service called HonestyOnline. This service can help you to determine if your potential date is who he or she says they really are. They recently partnered up with DatingHeadshots.com where your verification badge will also confirm that they were the ones who indeed did take your online dating photo. I personally believe that the trend for authenticity is on the rise with the success of social networking sites. Very slowly, singles are starting to come clean about their real age, and it’s refreshing to see.

Wouldn’t you like to know that your online date has passed a verification test? There are certificates of authenticity for diamonds, real estate, art work, but what is more important than your personal safety online?

I answered the five questions correctly, even though I had to guess where an ex-husband resided. Shortly afterwards I received the verification badge below which can be visible on my Facebook Profile.

As a woman, I can see the value in knowing that a man is who he says he is. If you are interested in trying it out, go to www.HonestyOnline.Com or check out their Facebook application.

Julie Spira is the author of The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. Visit her at www.CyberDatingExpert.com.

Ask the Cyber-Dating Expert

Join Cyber-Dating Expert, Julie Spira on Saturday, July 18, 2009  at 2pm ET/ 11 am PT,as she welcomes her featured guest, Ric Fleisher from HonestyOnline.com.

HonestyOnline.com now has a Facebook Application which is easy to download. You will be proud to have this badge of honesty on your online dating profile. Wouldn’t it be great if your online date had a certification of authenticity? Art work, jewelry, anything of value typically has a certificate showing it is valid. Why shouldn’t your cyber-date provide you with the same?

Call in at 646-929-0012 and learn about this great service to help you safely date online.

Listen to Ask the Cyber-Dating Expert on Blog Talk Radio