Online Dating Advantages and Disadvantages
Online dating, also known as Internet dating, is the new way of
dating for today's younger crowd -- as well as an increasing larger portion of the
older crowd as well. Internet dating usually involves meeting through either an
online personals website or a website specifically designed to match two individuals
based on physical and/or personality traits. The obvious goals of online dating are
friendships, casual dating, long term relationships, marriage, and in some cases just
puring sexual relationships.
Online dating services allow users (typically registered users only) to share both
identifying and non-indentifying information. Information can be as non-identifying as
age, sex, companion preferences, or as intimate as sexual preference, body appearance, and
sexual experience. Some online dating services also allow users to upload personal photographs
along with the desired information. Most allowing photo uploads also allow other users to
browse the photos. While many sites allow free registrations, most do not allow use of advanced
services (search, messaging, chatting) for non-paying members.
Online dating services can also range from very broad based target (e.g, men and women), to
very specific niche dating targets. These niche dating targets cover religious
affiliation (Christian dating sites, Jewish dating sites), sexual preferences (gay, lesbian, fetish),
geographical area (US, Canada, New York city) just to name a few.
Disadvantages of Online Dating
Online dating services have had negative feedback because of a wide range of issues, many
that notsurprisingly also exist in the old bar dating scene. Dishonesty is seemlingly
the most prevalent offense (recognize that from the bar scene?). Users, particlarly on
the free dating sites will regularly upload bogus pictures, fill in inaccurate profile
information, or just flat out lie in their profiles. This lack of honestly seems by anectdotal
eveidence to be less prevalent on paid dating sites.
Another disadvantage of online dating is the anonymity of the online dating service. It
may be truly hard to get to know someone strictly via their profile and a few message
exchanges. Again, while this is similar to the bar scene, one should take extra care when
meeting a potential online dating companion the first time.
Advantages of Online Dating
While one can surely pick apart online dating sites with concerns of honesty and safety
(which again, exist in any dating scene), there are several obvious advantages to online
dating. The sheer volume of potential dating companions is a major advantage. While you
might meet a hundred or so potential dates during a night out with friends, you can have
thousands of potential date on most online dating services. Also, given the that profile
data can be used to weed out those who do not match your personality, the list of potential
dates is definitely more targeted, regardless of your intentions.
A Sampling of Online Dating Sites
The following dating sites are well known in the online dating community and may be worth
a try while you are looking for the perfect online dating site:
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