Obviously, online dating serves a purpose. It fills a void that traditional dating and mingling does not. The early seeds of online dating were subjected to skepticism and mockery. But online dating is becoming more and more popular with every passing year. Maybe there is something to it. Here’s a brief assessment of the pros and cons of online dating. Take a gander if you’re considering this route.
Pros
It caters to a busy lifestyle. A lot of people claim that they don’t have the time to venture out in social settings in search of their significant other. Meeting someone online allows you to meet someone without compromising your schedule. However, it is important to note that at some point, as the relationship progresses, you will eventually have to make time for your lover as your online relationship progresses. The person will want to meet you face to face.
Cons
This brings me to the first con in this post. Until you spend time with someone in person, you cannot verify that (s)he is who (s)he says (s)he is (and even then you just never know). People lie over the internet all the time. They lie about their height, their income, their occupation, their appearance, their family, their age etc. A higher level of caution is encouraged when participating in online dating. No matter how convincing the person is, you must behave with a high level of caution and a minimal amount of trust until the relationship has reasonably progressed away from the virtual world. Some lies are easy to discern, but as demonstrated in the documentary Catfish, some lies are intricate and sophisticated and could really damage you emotionally.
Pros
There is greater exposure. You are not limited to people who go to the parties you go to, or work in the same area that you do. This provides an interesting opportunity for you to date other races if it suits your fancy or to find people that share your sexual preference, values, and beliefs.
Cons
Greater exposure often leads people to interact with other people who are very far away. You are swept away by the beautiful breeze called love and you allow it to carry you to different cities, countries, and continents. More often than not, long distance relationship don’t work out. Love makes you want it to work, but practicality gets in the way.
Pros
Whoever you are talking to was looking for someone too. There is no confusion about the person’s desire to be involved. You don’t have to stay in the crush limbo that flourishes in school settings, unsure if the person you care for feels the same way or even wants what you want.
Cons
Online dating provides an easy opportunity for someone to live a double life. That person you are communicating with over the internet may be married with kids without your knowledge. Although leading a double life is possible regardless of where the individual is met, the easy accessibility to people seeking relationships on the internet makes online dating a convenient and even preferred route to start an affair.
With the popularity of social media, you don’t even have to go on an online dating site to find someone you have a connection with. People have fallen in love through Facebook and Twitter…me being one of them. It’s a different world, and it’s not impossible to find your significant other over the internet. Be careful. Be cautious. Be alert.
