Well, as I may have mentioned, I tried (and now no longer interested) in meeting someone online for dating. I think the key really IS to be discerning. And not afraid to say "NO!," you're a nice person but not right for me.
I would be so much further ahead, emotionally and financially, if I had not ventured into the Internet dating scene. One red flag that I ignored, at the time I was doing this, was my inner gut instinct to take more time in correspondence with prospective dating partners. I wanted to write more and exchange thoughts, while they pressured for face to face meetings before I was comfortable or confident. After such meetings, though I felt trepidation, I continued seeing them mainly for fear of hurting their feelings. I wasted a lot of time and energy with these people, not to mention being sucked into long-term relationships that were actually harmful.
In retrospect, I think the key to this Internet dating thing really IS discernment, even at the cost of hurting someone's feelings, and saying, "No thanks." It's actually a kind of ruthless means of meeting people, and I lacked that ability. Because of my own experiences, I liken it to throwing a hook into the ocean and pulling out who knows what!
Patty