Are they lying to me about their age?

Dear Advice Girl,

I have a couple of boys I flirt with online, how can I make sure they are telling me the truth about their age?

Signed,
   Rachel

Dear Rachel,

Well, you can’t. That’s one of the 8,000 ways that online dating is so different from hanging out with people in the real world. (Another big difference: computers are way less fun to make out with.)

But I’m not saying, quit talking to people online. (Psh, would you really expect that advice coming from a site called eCRUSH?) I’m just saying, be smart about it. Don’t say anything that you wouldn’t tell a stranger you met at your local hoagie stand (or wherever you kids are picking up dates nowadays). Don’t say anything that would help them find you offline (which, for some crafty jerks, could even include your email address). And if someone says something that creeps you out, quit talking to them for good – and report them to the site where you met them.

Flirting online is a great way to spend an afternoon (especially if your two best friends are looking over your shoulder and giggling). But remember: it’s a game, not a lifestyle. So don’t get any closer to those cyber-guys than you already are. And for goodness’ sake, keep your emo-style cleavage pictures to yourself.