Ever since its invention and subsequent introduction to the society, the global phenomenon of the Internet has become an essential part of our lives. One of the biggest change that has taken place in the way people interact with each other. Those days where people would call each other on the phone has become a distant memory, replaced by various modes of instant messaging. As the Internet becomes embedded into our normal way of life, it has generally improved the society as a whole.
The Internet has also caused an interesting development in the dating scene. Due to hectic work schedules, a majority of us do not have the luxury to fork out additional time to meet new people. This significantly diminishes any chance of finding our soulmate. Thankfully, this problem is now being addressed by online dating sites, adopting all the principles of normal dating and bringing it into the virtual world. However, the question that seems to be on everyone’s mind is, “Does online dating work?”
Online Dating
The first ever online dating website was launched in 1995 and garnered an unprecedented amount of attention. Amid the intense demand for online dating services, many other websites have since been established to offer their help. Currently, the industry is estimated to rake in over USD$2 billion in annual revenue. Ultimately, each of these websites serves the same objective, to help single people find their one true love.
Based on statistics in the United States alone, there have been approximately 50 million people who have tried online dating and this figure continues to grow exponentially. These participants are given the freedom and flexibility to meet people from any parts of the world. In modern society where time is of the essence, online dating websites eliminate the restrictions of physical boundaries.
Benefits
As compared to other society norms, the virtual dating industry is still in its infancy stages. Nonetheless, its lack of experience should not be taken as a sign of weakness. According to a survey polled in the United States, every 1 out of 5 long term relationships started online. In 2015, 17% of married couples had their first point of contact in the virtual world. The study also provides that there are currently 14 million couples in long distanced relationships and 2.9% of United States marriages are managed internationally. These successful rates and influential statistics can be attributed to the benefits of dating in the virtual world.
1. Comfortable Surroundings
Online dating does not require a substantial amount of time and allows individuals to participate at their convenience. One of the most prevalent obstacle when it comes to dating is most men are unsure of how to approach women. When combined with being in an unfamiliar setting, it can be quite a daunting experience. Online dating eliminates these possibilities, allowing participants to be carefree and express themselves freely without fear of embarrassment. Moreover, the Amsterdam School of Communications Research, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands also discovered that people searching for romance online are not overly concerned with individual status, income and educational degree. This paves the way for people of different backgrounds to meet one another.
2. Specific Criteria
As the competition between each dating website intensifies, they try to outshine one another with unique services. Normally, users can filter their potential soulmates based on age group, demographics, and ethnicity. Newer web services have incorporated more options such as dietary preferences, hobbies, political standpoint, and even sexual preferences. These options help to narrow done the search field and increases the chances of a perfect match.
3. Scouting
With the endless stream of online matchmaking services, most people sign up for multiple accounts to increase their options and improve chances of a suitable match. Moreover, each candidate’s profile comes attached with their pictures and a brief introduction. Participants can literally scout people who they are interested in and add them to their shortlist. As one published study explains, online dating profiles serve as a filter system for users to identify potential soulmates based on the personal preferences. The experts also discovered that men and women have significantly different preference in their ideal mate.
Precautions
As much as the general population embraces the notion of online dating, this service does present a serious implication. With users hidden behind their devices, the possibility of deception increases drastically. The Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, established that users tend to lie about their personal information on online profiles. Although these deceptions are usually of little consequences, such as height, weight and age, the possibility of fake identities does exist. Instances where women have been duped by men with bogus identifications are not unheard of. Participants are strongly advised to take necessary precautions to avoid putting themselves in danger.
Summary
“Does online dating work?” This question is now becoming frequently asked, as more and more websites emerge on the scene. Online dating websites have revolutionized the romance industry. While its primary objective was to help people save time in social interactions and increase their chances of romance, it also contributed significantly towards lifting physical boundaries. This has led to a sharp rise in long distance relationships. Despite the incentive of meeting more people and higher chances of romantic relations, users should also be wary of any fraudsters lurking in the virtual world. A high degree of protection should be practiced to avoid unsavory characters from gaining vital personal information. Overall, online dating services certainly help to increase the chances of finding the one true love.
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Author: Adonia Dennis
Adonia Dennis (@adoniadennis) is a Health, Beauty and Skin Care advisor. She loves to read about general health and wellness information. She utilizes her experience in writing about beauty tips and health related problems. She works as a content coordinator for many online health portals. She is very passionate to write anything related to human body and loves to dispense unbiased advice through writing. To know more about Adonia, follow her on LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.
