10 Rules for Online Dating Learned from "Catfish"

Computer love is not as simple as it seems.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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There's no doubt about it: Catfish is one of the best programs MTV has picked up in a long time. Based on the 2009 documentary by the same name, the series stars Nev Schulman who, inspired by his own experience, goes around the country meeting people who have romantic relationships over the Internet with people they've never met.

He then, with the help of his filmmaker friend Max Joseph, attempts to uncover everything he can about the other person before staging a meet-up to find out if they really are who they say they are. It's compelling because oftentimes they're actually not, so it gives us a really good insight into why people feel the need to lie about themselves so intricately on the Internet—and how well they can do it, too.

In addition, the show has the ability to teach us important lessons about online dating, specifically, how not to become the amorous victim of an Internet con artist. To make it even simpler, Complex put together a list of 10 Rules for Online Dating Learned from Catfish, a foolproof guide to navigating the murky waters of the Internet social sphere. Take note, because with dating becoming increasingly digitalized, these could save you serious heartache and embarrassment.

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Written by Tanya Ghahremani (@tanyaghahremani)

10. Use common sense.

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9. Don't believe a famous person is trying to chat you up on Facebook.

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8. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

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7. Video-chatting is a must.

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6. Beware of revenge plots.

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5. Investigate everything.

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4. Don't start a full-blown relationship with someone you’ve never met.

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3. Don't treat Facebook like a dating site.

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2. Face-to-face meetings are a must.

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1. Happy endings are for the movies.

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