Match.com states that one in four relationships originate online. If this is true, there is a good chance that you or someone you know has an online dating profile. Online dating has become both accepted and encouraged in our society. Users can now frequent websites tailored to their preferences for different races, religions, income levels and body types. MTV has even created a show that explores the truths and lies of online dating. With all of this propaganda, it is becoming more and more evident that creating an online dating profile is no longer taboo.
Is online dating safe? Does it work? These questions are difficult to answer, as everyone has a different experience. Despite the subjective nature of this trend, it is helpful to be informed of both the negative and positive aspects of online dating.
uSamp, a company that pays people to take surveys, revealed that over one third of the people who married between 2005 and 2012 reported meeting their spouse online. This statistic banishes the myth that everyone utilizing online services is only looking for a hook up. Many people revert to online dating for reasons other than easy access to potential partners– shyness, curiosity, loneliness or the inability to find suitable mates based on geographic location are all reasons as to why someone would join a dating website.
Users can pick from a variety of online dating sites. Match.com and eHarmony.com are two of the most advertised sites. While popular, these websites charge users a monthly fee in order to utilize the site’s full benefits.
There are a lot of other sites that allow users to search for and message others for free. From personal observation, these free online dating services appear to be the most common among college-age individuals. The pros of using a free service are obvious, but many believe that users can find higher-quality matches on the paid sites.
Again, the truths or myths about this statement are subjective. With such a large number of people utilizing online dating sites in 2013, it can be assumed that it is possible to find appealing matches on most sites, whether the service requires payment or not.
PlentyOfFish, or pof.com, is a free online dating service that allows users to create a profile and search for potential mates based on location, age and many other specific preferences. POF also gives users the option to fill out a questionnaire that is meant to match them with other users based on compatibility. Whether users base their search on compatibility, basic traits or on a combination of the two is up to them.
Online dating can be both praised and criticized for its quick and accessible matching capabilities. POF features a “Meet Me” option, where users can click “yes,” “no” or “maybe” to potential matches as their profile images pop up on the computer screen. Tinder, a dating service based through a smartphone app, works in a similar way. With just a slide of a finger, users can indicate if they like a person or not.
Some believe these methods make online dating seem harsh or even shallow, while others claim that people follow a similar pattern when meeting in person. It is human nature to first notice someone for their looks, and that initial attraction (or lack thereof) often initiates the process of either pursuit or rejection.
There is no right or wrong answer as to if someone should try online dating. The important thing to remember is that communicating online, like communicating in person, can be misleading. Take your time when getting to know someone online–do not reveal personal contact information until you feel that you would definitely like to meet the person. Don’t let yourself become invested in who you are talking to until you meet them in person. It is important to see if there is a physical attraction and if you enjoy talking to someone before you form the expectation of a possible relationship.
Above all, be smart. It is best to meet for a first date in a public setting during the daytime. Don’t be afraid to try online dating, but don’t be so relaxed about it that you forget the importance of both face-to-face interaction and keeping yourself safe.