Online Dating

Video credit: Romance Scam and Online Dating Frauds – posted by OfficialYRP on YouTube

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Of the romantic partnerships formed in the United States between 2007 and 2009, 21 percent of heterosexual couples and 61 percent of same-sex couples met online, according to a study by Michael J. Rosenfeld, an associate professor of sociology at Stanford.

From: The New York Times article – Love, Lies and What they Learned   (2011)

Think before you ink

  • Online dating has become foundational to modern ‘dating culture’. Of the 54 million singles in the United States, 40 million have tried online dating, says Statistics Brain. One of the main benefits of meeting a potential partner online is the convenience of having profiles to scan. If you’re looking for someone who’s a natural blonde, is into James Bond movies and plays ringette, you might be out of luck searching at bars or clubs. Reading through online profiles means that you can select people who interest you… anonymously. If you’re too shy to talk to someone in person you can start an online conversation with them. You can avoid really awkward blind dates or meet ups by emailing or messaging in advance, and getting a feel for them before deciding to meet in person.
  • Of course, meeting online can have some pitfalls. People can lie or embellish facts about themselves on their dating-site profiles. It could turn out that their intentions are less than honourable. In a recent study, psychologists warned that relying too much on finding the perfect profile has little correlation to the perfect match; meeting over coffee might be a better way to get to know someone.
  •  While dating websites have long dominated the landscape, apps such as TinderGrindr, Bumble and Happn are starting to gain traction; as of 2020, Tinder had 6.6 million subscribers and was “the highest grossing non-gaming app globally”, according to their website.
  • If you’re interested in giving online dating a chance, use your common sense – consider it akin to hitchhiking. It is generally recommended that for your first in-person date, you inform a friend or family member where you’re going, and that you go for a date in a public place such as a coffee shop or museum. Think also about how much private information you want to share on your profile and in any online communication you have with potential matches – how much do you really want them to know about you before you even meet?
  • Most online dating sites charge fees but may offer a free trial period. Choose your dating site carefully – what are their terms and conditions, what do they do with your information, and what’s their privacy policy like? You can also find various reviews of dating sites on the web.

Discuss

The Digital Tattoo Project encourages critical discussion on topics surrounding digital citizenship and online identity. There are no correct answers and every person will view these topics from a different perspective. Be sure to complete the previous sections before answering the questions.

Is online dating the way of the future, or just a fad?

What are the best ways to protect yourself when online dating?

One response to “Online Dating”

  1. Rezwan

    I think virtual dating is the future.

    The best way to protect yourself when online dating is to prioritize your safety by being cautious with personal information, using reputable dating platforms, trusting your instincts, and meeting in public places. Remember to conduct online research, share selectively, and report any suspicious activity to the dating platform. Taking these precautions helps create a safer online dating experience.

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