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Just be careful the internet can be a bad place if people make it a bad place.
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In **some** ways, I dont see any more risks in meeting someone over the internet, than I do in person. The facts are- there are weirdos, con artists, perps, etc., in all walks of life. Prolly, those weirdos meeting people over the internet also meet people in the more traditional way! They see the internet as fishing with a larger net, possibly.
Some problems with the internet situation is your 'sixth sense' is not as active until you meet the person, in person. So, where you might normally be wary of someone that appears unkempt, you wouldn't know this about him/her until you met. IF you had first connected with this unkempt person over the internet, you might have established some emotional attachment, at some level, and not be SO wary when you met in person. I don't know WHY I used that particular situation as an example...he he he...maybe cause I am looking pretty unkempt myself right now? Good thing we are on the 'net, and not in person, eh?
But, you can take that example to any other level- you might be inclined to overlook some warning signs that present when you are in person, since you already have this connection with him/her, established over the 'net.
I am VERY wary of anyone that professes some strong attachment to me early on. I can only wonder WHY they feel these things, without knowing me very well. The daily contact is also a little off for me. Doesn't this person have anything else to do in their lives that interest them?
I think I would tell Mr. Internet that you, AND your parents want to meet him, in a public place. IF he is above board, he will be 100% in agreement.