| With its growing popularity and burgeoning | | | | disclose more about themselves than what they |
| number of users, online dating offers a fun | | | | would otherwise. In short, they are less |
| and legitimate way to meet people. There are | | | | inhibited. Such seeming 'openness' can lead |
| many sincere and genuine people, who are | | | | to a sense of false familiarity or intimacy. |
| interested in developing bona fide | | | | Whatsmore, such confidences are often |
| relationships, now turning to the internet | | | | selective - the sender will present the best |
| for potential love matches. | | | | bits of him or herself. This latter point is |
| The old stereotype of internet | | | | common in all early stages of getting to know |
| dating being used by the 'socially awkward' | | | | someone (we all like to 'put our best foot |
| or 'perverts' has been superseded. Sure, some | | | | forward'), regardless of place of meeting. |
| such characters do frequent online dating | | | | The potential pitfall with online |
| sites but these people also frequent bars, | | | | communication, however, is that the recipient |
| gyms, dance classes, community groups, | | | | has less opportunity to check for congruence |
| workplaces, church congregations, park | | | | between what is being reported and the |
| toilets and the like! The reality is that | | | | sender's behaviour i.e. they do not have |
| online dating sites now attract a wide range | | | | visual cues or other non-verbals. |
| of people. People of all ages, from all walks | | | | |
| of life and of all persuasions are now | | | | To guard against falling victim to 'false |
| logging online to pursue love (and its many | | | | advertising' and/or of misrepresenting |
| variations). | | | | oneself online, online dating may best be |
| | | | viewed as a portal to getting to know |
| By linking you into a singles' network much | | | | potential matches. Online communication does |
| larger than what you could otherwise access, | | | | not on its own provide a comprehensive way in |
| online dating can improve the odds of meeting | | | | which to get to know someone. It can, |
| someone with whom you are compatible. So.... | | | | however, facilitate an awareness of, and |
| the issue is not whether internet dating can | | | | desire to know more about another person. To |
| help you find love. It can, and for thousands | | | | truly understand, appreciate and know another |
| of people it already has. There are, however, | | | | person takes time and, for most of us, such |
| a number of issues which make internet dating | | | | knowledge is only established through being |
| unique to more 'traditional' ways of meeting | | | | in their company, enjoying shared |
| people. Being cognisant of these differences | | | | experiences, and through verbal and |
| can help you be a more 'streetwise' internet | | | | non-verbal communications. |
| dater and improve your chances of success | | | | |
| online. | | | | So, if you are looking for love, online |
| | | | dating offers a highly effective way in which |
| When people communicate in a solely text | | | | to 'hook up' with other singles but, just |
| based environment over a period of time, | | | | remember, the real 'hooking up' takes place |
| without having met in person, they often | | | | offline! |