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| been superseded.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