Positive and Negative Aspects of Online Dating
Positive and Negative Aspects of Online Dating
Years ago, online dating was associated with being desperate. Now online dating is a very popular phenomenon that many people are taking part in. The internet gives people a place to meet others without the awkwardness and uncertainty that is present in social situations that is very appealing to a lot of people. Online dating and dating apps are here to stay and will only continue to grow. According to statics from 2021: these are the reasons people are using dating apps:
- 54% to find an exclusive romantic partner
- 34% to have something fun/interesting to do
- 26% to have casual sex
- 25% to make platonic/non romantic connections
- 23% to see what the app is like
- 20% to find non-exclusive romantic partners
- 18% to boost self esteem
- 18% to find a friend
- 6% to cheat on significant other
- 5% other
Online Dating
Online dating and dating apps have become more popular as it allows people to present themselves to the world in hopes of finding a compatible mate. The concept of being anonymous allows people to explore who they are without the fear of people judging them. It also lets them do things they would not normally do in face-to-face situations. Once people find out their true identity, they should work on representing themselves as truthfully as possible. However, there are some downfalls to online dating.
When we think of dating apps we do think of some form of deception. Some people unfortunately will try and deceive others in order to sound more appealing and try to get more potential dates. Internet relationships form for multiple reasons. Some people are looking for a long-term relationship, others might be unhappy in their current relationship whereas others might be looking for just a no strings attached “hook up”.
Positives of online dating
- It is easy to get started. All you need is a mobile device and internet access. You set up a profile and get to assess your matches.
- It is more comfortable to start a conversation online with a stranger than in real life.
- Increases your probability of finding a perfect match. The app will scan through tons of profiles to help you connect with your soulmate. Depending on your filter options, you will only get suggestions for people within your preferred location, age or any other factors you singled out.
- It opens up dating opportunities regardless of your geological location.
- It gives you a glimpse of their personality. One of the best things about online dating is getting to know someone before you actually meet them.
- They have great features such as video and voice calls.
- It is flexible and convenient. You can access dating websites on your phone or a desktop. Most people prefer using their phone because they always have their phone with them.
- It is affordable and cost effective. There is just a subscription fee and internet fee.
- You decide the pace of the relationship since there are no social obligations and you are not meeting them in person.
Negatives of online dating
- Online dating starts out with no emotion, you are just looking at a picture and a profile.
- It might take you longer to find the right one. There are so many choices to choose from. This can make people more desperate and can cause distress.
- It can give you unrealistic expectations. We often have a list of traits we are looking for in a spouse. When we are dating someone, we tend to accept people for who they are. But when you’re dating someone online it is hard to gauge the person.
- Physical attraction plays a role. When you meet someone in person you tend to get to know them as a whole person. When dating someone online you are looking at their profile picture or images they have uploaded.
- They can be dangerous. We don’t know the person in real life to decide if they are dangerous or not. This can expose people to danger. People need to be careful.
- People can lie. People can lie about themselves especially when it comes to online dating. They are hoping to impress the other person and may fabricate the truth. I had a former male co-worker who used a picture from over 10 years ago as his profile picture. He looked nothing like that currently.
Best dating apps
Real stories from people who used dating apps
- Cayli: ” I met my partner on Tinder and we’ve been together for a year”
- Laura: “We met on match in 2011. Got married in 2014 and have 3 children. But we would have met a year earlier if he had responded to eHarmony, but he was cheap and didn’t have a membership for eHarmony except when it was free on the weekends”. They spoke for 4-5 days then met up for coffee.
- Jessica: ” I met my hubby on match, together almost 12 years and married almost 3….he says I catfished him” . She made him wait a month before they met in person.
- Carrie: “married for 12.5 years now. We only talked for a week or two before meeting in person.
- Terri: ” I can personally tell you it was absolutely a terrible experience”
- Karen: “I’ve had nothing but disappointment on dating apps, most guys aren’t looking for relationships and they don’t know how to communicate. They are looking for a hookup or someone to send them pictures. Many are just playing games”.
- Sarah: “I randomly got a Facebook friend request from someone I did not know but something told me to accept it. He messaged me and explained that he saw my profile picture and wanted to add me. We started messaging and ended up talking for 4 years before actually meeting up in person. 15 years later, we have 2 kids, a house and a dog”.
More real stories from people who used dating apps
- Amanda: “Back in 2012 met my now husband on plenty of fish. Still together and happy today”.
- Lea: “not on a dating app but by AOL chatroom almost 20 years ago”
- Hope: “Met my husband on match. We talked for a week before we met in person and no we’re married. Started dating on March 2017, engaged February 2019 and married December 2020”.
- David: “We have been together for 20.5 years, married for 19 years. Both are second marriages. She paid match the $25 fee and hasn’t asked for a refund so far🤣🤣 “.
- Emily: “I met my husband on ok cupid and we’ve been together for over 8 years now”.
- Selena: ” I met my husband on tinder, been together for 6 years now. Married for 1 year and now baby on the way”.
- Donna: ” I met my husband on match. We have been married 5+ years. We never would have met if it wasn’t for match. I had given up on dating and a friend said there was a Groupon for match. So, I gave it one more try. I joke with him all the time: I got him with a Groupon”.
- Lisa: ” Amazing for people 10+ years ago but I’ve been single since 2021 and the dating world has changed. Anybody I even talk to from dating apps just wanted hook ups. Seems to be the consensus these days.”
- Hannah: “I met my fiance on Tinder, best right swipe I ever did. Funny thing, I was swiping in Charleston to find myself a rich man. My fiance popped up as being in Lexington and I said must be a sign. Sure enough it was.”
- Tony: ” The online experience is so different for women and men. For men its almost boring, you just swipe and swipe and sometimes you will have a match. For women, they’re bombarded by men”.
Online dating safety tips
- Avoiding connecting with suspicious profiles.
- Check out your date on social media- make sure they aren’t “catfishing” you by using a fake profile to create their dating profile.
- Wait to give out any personal information, such as social security number, banking information, credit card details or work or home address.
- Don’t respond to request for financial help
Meeting in person
- Video chat with a potential date before meeting them in person. This can be a good way to help ensure your match is who they claim to be in their profile. If they strongly resist a video call, that could be a sign of suspicious activity.
- Tell a friend where you’re going. Take a screenshot of your date’s profile and send it to a friend. Let at least one friend know where and when you plan to go on your date.
- Meet in a public place. For your first date, avoid meeting someone you don’t know well yet in your home, apartment, or workplace. It may make both you and your date feel more comfortable to meet in a coffee shop, restaurant, or bar with plenty of other people around. Avoid meeting in public parks and other isolated locations for first dates.
- Don’t rely on your date for transportation. It’s important that you are in control of your own transportation to and from the date so that you can leave whenever you want and do not have to rely on your date in case you start feeling uncomfortable.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and feel free to leave a date or cut off communication with whoever is making you feel unsafe.
Positive and Negative Aspects of Online Dating
Did you meet your spouse on a dating app? Which one? Are you currently still together? Comment Below!
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