Take your time It's seems rude, but don't reply to people you aren't interested in. I tried to very politely say I wasn't interested and encountered some very angry responses. Better to not say anything and let them think your profile just isn't active.
Don't start a relationship online - if after a few chats you're interested in meeting, arrange a short coffee date in a public place. A) that establishes that he's not catfishing you and less likely to be married. Also you can develop feelings in a lengthy online relationship and then find out there's no chemistry when you meet. Better to find out early.
Don't introduce your son to your dates. Just don't. It takes AT LEAST 6 months, maybe a year, before you can have a pretty good idea if this is likely to work out long term. Your son doesn't need to go through dating disappointments with you.
Read between the lines of their profiles. Get a girlfriends input - she may see red flags you're missing.
All that being said - I've actually had good luck with online dating. Just take your time.
