Online dating

Lolita
How do you ladies feel about meeting people online? I just recently started talking to this guy and so far he seems totally normal. He's super handsome and has a 7 year old daughter which I like since I have a 4 year old son. I'm not sure yet what my preference is as far as dating while being a parent because I'm newly single and it's been 8 years. I'm really nervous about meeting him for the first time. I know I'll need to meet him somewhere public to keep it safe but I'm still nervous about how he'll receive me and vice versa. Plus how do I know that what he's telling me is true? How do I find out if he's married, or hiding something etc.. am I just being paranoid?