A participant who is interested in contacting another member, sends messages through the Network, which then gets rerouted to the members' e-mail address. There is no direct contact. Online services have extensive privacy and conduct statements. In particular, members must agree not to transmit obscene language or pornographic images, also to refrain from transmitting racially offensive language or images that can be interpreted by individuals or groups as hateful, prejudicial, or intolerant. The reason for security of this kind is, in part, historic.
Online relationships can turn abusive, harassing, obsessional, or even homicidal.
This is, in part, due to the level of the intimacy created by this technology. The virtual community pushes the democracy envelope and erases societal boundaries. Even so, she insists initial meetings should always occur in a public place and, if possible, it is advisable to go with someone else and have transportation waiting. In addition, it encourages consumers to guard their anonymity, and to refrain from disclosing their phone number and address to anyone attempting to manipulate this information from them, and to remember that they are never obligated to follow through with a 3-D meeting. Safeguarding your privacy, however, is not enough.