Online Dating: Hit or Delete?

We’ve come a long way since the days of traditional courtship, when women were formally asked out to dances and dinners by potential suitors, and social gatherings were the preferred spot to meet new people. Today’s tech-savvy age has broken down many barriers, opened up new horizons, and brought the world closer. Its influence has made its way into most aspects of our lives, including that of romance and relationships; and as a result, a different breed of dating has opened up over the World Wide Web.

What is online dating?

Online dating is a novel concept that has granted fresh lease to the love lives of millions of people all over the world. There are many websites catering to this purpose, where a you can create your online profile, upload your photograph, and browse through the profiles of other users to find someone you might wish to date. You can also set certain criteria, such as age, location, and gender, based on which the dating service will provide you with likely matches. Some of these sites require a one-time registration fee, or a monthly fee, while others are free for use.

Why date online?

The realm of online dating is practically a godsend for all those who have little or no time in their busy lives for idle socialising. Not only is it a timesaver, but it actually allows one to meet and connect with people from the comfort and convenience of one’s home. Believe it or not, the internet also provides a security blanket through the option of anonymity and distance. You can choose what information to reveal about yourself without appearing paranoid or too suspicious, you can evaluate at ease the other person from a safe distance without getting too involved or personal, you can take your time deciding whether to move forward with a connection or you can reject it instead at the click of a button.

Why not to date online?

It would be wrong to assert that such a different breed of dating is better than the conventional form. There is nothing like going out together with another person, being in their physical presence, sharing a drink or dinner, and conversing with them face-to-face over it. Online dating often comes with geographical constraints and an edge of uncertainty. Moreover, dating sites with their vast databases of unsuspecting clients may even attract online predators and fraudsters looking for potential targets.

Nonetheless, we should not dismiss online dating altogether. Surveys in the U.S. have proved that when it comes to online behaviour, most people are at least as honest as they are in person. Online dating has achieved popular acceptance, and attracts millions of eligible singles into flocking the internet highways on a regular basis. It is now a smart and practicable alternative to traditional dating for meeting new people and forming lasting connections.