What is Online Dating?
It is safe to say that after the advancement in technology, our living aspects have changed. Previously we had to go to the store if we had to buy something. Well, now it’s not the same. You take out the device you have inside your pocket and order that thing from an online store, and voila! You’ll receive the order in a day or two. Similarly, how we meet new people is changing, and it’s clear that technology has had a vital role in that. If you’re living under a rock, let me walk you through the sweet experience of what the heck online dating is.
Online dating refers to a way to find new people and arrange a date. Usually, the goal of the people is to establish a personal and romantic relationship. To use online dating, a person creates a profile on the dating site, giving the site some personal information such as match preference, and location. Dating sites use computer algorithms to find a match for the user based on what he or she has provided to the website. It is also possible for the user to find matches based on age, religion and other personal information. Members can then chat with the potential match using the website’s chatting platform.
The attitude of the society towards online dating has grown progressively during the last few years. According to research conducted by the Pew Research Centre, it showed that 59% of the people in 2013 believed that meeting people online was a good and healthy activity. They performed the same research in 2005, and back then only 44% of the people seemed to believe that online dating was a poor replacement of the conventional way of meeting new people.
Why do people date online?
The big question that arises is why do people choose to date online rather than the conventional method. Let’s find out!
One of the reasons which contribute a lot to people choosing to date online is the convenience of meeting new people quickly and without any hard work. Suppose you are at work and you have a ten-minute break, you can instantly take out your phone and meet new people with just a swipe. You can do that anywhere, at any time of the day.
Another reason is the person doesn’t have to play hardball if he or she likes someone. You log in to the website and see if you find anyone interesting. If you do, all you have to do is swipe, and there you go, you now have a new date.
Plus it helps the people who have no time to go to bars or parties to meet new people. My brother can be an excellent example of this. He is a hardcore computer programmer (while I’m sleeping till noon, he’s making software for multinational companies) and has no time for his dating life. Therefore, he joined a dating site as a tool to help him with that part of life.
Lastly, awkward confrontations are eliminated with online dating. Many males are afraid of rejection. It is much easier to send a simple message and not receive a response than it is to be turned down immediately in a public place. Online dating gives males that extra boost of confidence.
A research conducted by Kaspersky to analyze why people prefer to date online showed that 48% of the people just wanted to have fun. Some said that they were looking for a committed and meaningful relationship while one in ten people said they were looking for a quick way to have sex. These findings by Kaspersky show that most of the people are willing to take the risk of their relationship to go wherever they go.
How to choose the best online dating site?
There are tons of sites claiming to be the best online dating site in the market and if you’re new in the online dating game, trust me when I say you’re going to need some help to choose the website which is right for you. You don’t need to worry since we have compiled a list of things to look for when selecting a site just for you.
Pricing
Most of the online dating sites allow users to create profiles and browse free. While this sounds great, remember you can’t always enjoy all the features in the free version. We recommend you to see what features are available in the paid version and see if you really need those features then only upgrade to the paid version by paying the reasonable fee to the site.
Mobile apps
We live in a time where more than half of internet browsing is done on the internet. There is an app for everything! Most of the Online Dating sites have also come up with a mobile app that reduces the user’s hassle to go to a browser whenever he or she wants to meet a new person. We also recommend that you always check that the app is available on all the major platforms (IOS and Android). Lastly, always check that the app also has all the features that the desktop site offers.
Ease of use
Online dating sites and apps should be easy to use. The last thing you want to do is fight against the annoying pop-ups whenever you are using the site. A site that is user-friendly and easy to use should include step by step instructions for creating a profile and an option to turn off pop-ups.
Authenticity
The site should always be able to do what it claims. You don’t want to waste your time and money on a site that doesn’t help in a way it claimed it will. We recommend you read reviews of the site before signing up to get better information and first-hand experience from the previous users.
Pros and cons of online dating
Now you might ask, does online dating really work? Well, to get that question out of the way we have compiled a list of pros and cons of Online Dating to give you a better understanding.
Pros
Dating sites match you with people based on compatibility and personality. Most websites use personality tests to guide the user to find their best match.
Online dating allows you to meet people you’ve never crossed paths with. Through it, your scope allows you to connect with people globally. Your world is no longer limited to meeting people from your workplace or your college. You can meet a person from a foreign land and listen to their magical experiences and tell yours at the same time.
Meeting people online can be useful for individuals who are introverts and aren’t comfortable with meeting new partners physically. They feel more comfortable with communicating online and then actually meeting the person face to face.
Cons
Online dating sites currently are crowded with members which gives the users a lot of options to choose from. While it’s great to have a lot of options for yourself, it can be stressful to choose the good ones from the bad ones.
Most people lie on their dating profiles to make them more interesting and appealing to the public. People generally lie about their age, income, and weight. It’s always better to check if the profile is too good to be true, and it’s better to stay off that profile.
Matching is a complicated process, and sometimes you might be matched with a person who isn’t right for you.
Always use protection
When surfing online, the number one security issue which haunts many users is the protection of their data. When using online dating, security issues can further enlarge, such as harassment and fraud. We have a few tips to ensure that you’re safe when dating online.
- It’s always better to use a different profile picture than the one you have on your other social media accounts. If you use the same profile picture, it will be easier to find you on social media websites.
- We recommend that you always check your potential date online before meeting them. If you know their social media tag — look them up so, you’re sure that the person you’re going to meet is not a weirdo.
- Always wait to share your personal information. Please don’t share your home/work address or credit card numbers before meeting them physically.
- Meet your date in a public place. It’s always better to avoid meeting someone for the first time at your home or your workplace.
- Lastly, always trust your instincts. If you’re uncomfortable, feel free to get up and leave. You’re not bound to stay with the date, and most importantly, your safety is the utmost priority.
Conclusion
Just like conventional dating, online dating also has some downsides but again name one thing which doesn’t have a con and is perfect. No answer, right! If you haven’t given online dating a try, you should. You might meet the right person. Plus, it’s convenient and has a lot of options. Good luck and happy dating!
