[Vivienne]

HOW is it safer balls?? The image built up over the internet may be quite, quite different in reality (!!). And just one other thing: a female doesn't have the same strength as a man, thus has to be more careful.

[Nicola_Red]

There's no rush Viv. Sometimes I just want to and I don't see anything wrong with that. I refuse to be patronised for liking casual sex just cos I'm female.

[Vivienne]

No he was a normal lad we went from the pub to the cinema with out my parent's supervision and he was a normal nice person. Not everyone on the internet are freaks only a small percentage.

OK!! I just worry cos the small percentage is the small percentage too many !!

[Vivienne]

There's no rush Viv. Sometimes I just want to and I don't see anything wrong with that. I refuse to be patronised for liking casual sex just cos I'm female.

Look, I don't mean to be a patronising cow. I've just got my own reasons for feeling concerned, that's all. I knew it would come across that way.

[catherine]

Actually on the internet its more likely to be older males preying on younger girls like my age 16, i think adults are quite safe meeting up for a drink in a public place, i just took extra precautions because of my age.

[Vivienne]

GOOD, Catherine!! I'm GLAD.

[catherine]

You meet new people everyday...don't see how people on the internet are different from people you meet through friends or on the bus or in a club.

[Vivienne]

O!! I give up!!

[Nicola_Red]

That's the point I am trying to make, catherine. and for the record, I am 32 so unlikely to be a target for paedophiles.

[Ballbag]

Vivian stop worrying, Nicola, carry on, and Catherine, well done for being 16 years old and not a pillock, tis a rarity.

[Vivienne]

32 !! Or younger!!! It's still scary stuff !!! I don't want to be hearing about anyone on Newsbeat!!

[Vivienne]

Vivian stop worrying, Nicola, carry on, and Catherine, well done for being 16 years old and not a pillock, tis a rarity.

Ha!! You're a guy and thus stupid... it's an automatic requirement for being a male !!

[catherine]

The most intelligent people in the world are male

[Vivienne]

Really?? I never met them.

[Nicola_Red]

I understand Viv, honestly. But we are all at risk from other people, all the time. That's just how life is. The internet has a bad rap cos all you hear about are the weirdos - the fact that I had a lovely 3 or 4-month friendship (won't say 'relationship' cos that implies something emotional) with a bloke I met via myspace last summer won't make any news stories, cos there's nothing sensationalist about it.

[catherine]

Maybe you should sign up for dating direct and meet a few

[Nicola_Red]

I've never used any specific 'dating' sites, actually. Just myspace and various message boards.

[Ballbag]

32........ I thought younger Nicola...... well done.

Viv..... I am highly intelligent thank you very much.

[catherine]

My mom did a few years ago

[Nicola_Red]

32........ I thought younger Nicola...... well done.

thankyou! if people are made to guess my age (I never make them cos it's cruel, but friends often do it) they usually guess early to mid-20s. I have good genetics (my mum still gets mistaken for 10yrs younger than her age) and I am very careful with sunscreen, but sleeping with younger men also helps

[Yudster]

This has turned into a pretty good discussion hasn't it? Totally valid points on both sides - its not anything that will ever be resolved one way or the other though, because its all about individuals. We all choose our own lives, and we all regulate the risk factors within them for ourselves. I completely understand viv's concerns, but none of us can impose our own experiences and behavioural mores on any other person, it wouldn't be right, and whilst I don't share Nicola's approach to sex (not any more, anyway!), its easy to see that she isn't going to be an obvious target for a mild nutter - and the really bad nutters, well, theres nothing anyone can do about them. And nice one Catherine, a well planned meeting, always good to allow the parents a level of involvement(!) - hope it works out!

[Ballbag]

32........ I thought younger Nicola...... well done.

thankyou! if people are made to guess my age (I never make them cos it's cruel, but friends often do it) they usually guess early to mid-20s. I have good genetics (my mum still gets mistaken for 10yrs younger than her age) and I am very careful with sunscreen, but sleeping with younger men also helps

I would have said mid to late 20's judging by the photo of you.

[Nicola_Red]

Groovy. Happy with that. The photo I posted in the 'post your face' thread was only a week old...the one I emailed you is maybe a year old...either way it's all good.

[Yudster]

Yep, mid twenties would have been my guess, but I knew you were older anyway, you said before. Great skin by the way, thanks to you I paid a lot more for my latest moisturiser than I normally do, looking for one with a decent SPF!

[dave-tricks]

You meet new people everyday...don't see how people on the internet are different from people you meet through friends or on the bus or in a club.

yeh but you can see who they are in pubs and use body language ans stuff....but if its on the internet who knows who u cud be talkin to...lol