Jody’s search for a suitable partner for marriage seemed impossible. She found the singles scene at clubs to be uncomfortable and her social circle seemed to consist of more married friends with a shrinking number of singles. Although it has heard of internet dating and I’ve seen the ads for dating sites, has hesitated to take what she imagined was a very drastic step. What would their experience be? How could I meet someone online? What are the risks? If you are in this situation, then most likely you have considered venturing into online dating to meet someone. Our lives are increasingly dependent on technology rather than face to face contact. No wonder that millions of people have tried online dating as a way to find a relationship rather than waiting for a chance encounter. But what are some of the findings of researchers examining the behavior of people who meet online? In a study published by CBS News, 15% of Americans with Internet access have visited an online dating site. 27% of them were 18-29 years of age.
Obviously online dating is becoming very popular. The same study showed that 33% of unmarried Internet users believe online dating is a safe way to meet people, although 34% acknowledged knowing someone who had a bad experience. In another study published by the BBC, online dating was seen as a way for women to feel empowered in relationships. The traditional inhibitions they had in front of personal relationships is replaced with a more advanced and control attitude when given the anonymity of the Internet. Could this improve their chances of finding a perfect relationship? Professor Helen Petrie was quoted in the interview with the BBC saying “There are people who lack the interpersonal and social skills is very difficult to meet people bars. You can find easy to find in an internet room, but we still have the problem of meeting face to face and if you have gone too far with the internet connection may find that traumatic.
“The truth is that many people find the anonymity of online dating encourages a certain degree of exaggeration or lying. While some say that always hide things at the beginning of a relationship, trying to put our best foot forward, the Internet makes it easier to hide things as facial expressions, income, marital status and even professional records. So you can find, like Jody, that finding a relationship in the “real world” is difficult – if you are still considering online dating should exercise caution and common sense. Be careful what you say about yourself and try to verify as much information as possible before meeting or personally contact someone you have met online and never are alone.