Welcome to Online Dating! But First, a Reality Check
- Friday, December 11 2009 @ 08:26 am
- Contributed by: EFoley
- Views: 2,734
It would appear that online dating is getting a surge of fresh blood recently.
First, the economic downturn has had online dating enthusiasts crowing for months: “Online dating numbers are up! People want the cheaper, better alternative!”
Then there's the Baby Boomers. The over-50s are a fast-growing segment of the online dating population, and since they're such a large demographic, they will undoubtedly exert their influence and make an impression on the dating world. That cha-ching you hear is the sound of the inevitable over-50 dating sites that are springing up as we speak.
If you're one of the many who are new to online dating, welcome! However, there's a few truths you must understand:
First, online dating may be cheaper and more convenient, but finding a lasting relationship is never easy. Those serious about finding a partner will have to put in work, sooner or later.
Many people hear the fairy-tale stories of love found online and expect that their experience will be just that: a fairytale. And maybe it will be, but there's nothing extra-magical about meeting people online. It is one of the most efficient, reasonable ways to meet new people with potentially similar interests, sure – but that's all it is, an avenue to meet someone. The rest is up to you, with all the mundane trials of any relationship. Still, for many people, simply finding the person is the hardest part; maybe, for them, it is magical.
Secondly, many novices to the online dating world are novices to the Internet in general. If you fit into this category, that means that you're potentially more vulnerable, and it might be easier for a scam artist to take advantage of you.
In this instance, the best defense is knowledge and a good support system. Read up on online safety practices and find out what some of the most recent scams are. Talk to friends and family when you're first getting your feet wet, see if anything rings their warning bells.
Using an online dating site is really no more dangerous than meeting someone in the grocery store, as long as you're well-versed in basic Internet safety. Think of the Internet like moving to a new city; it's bigger, and there might be sections to avoid. Still, once you get used to it, it's home, with new and exciting opportunities everywhere!
First, the economic downturn has had online dating enthusiasts crowing for months: “Online dating numbers are up! People want the cheaper, better alternative!”
Then there's the Baby Boomers. The over-50s are a fast-growing segment of the online dating population, and since they're such a large demographic, they will undoubtedly exert their influence and make an impression on the dating world. That cha-ching you hear is the sound of the inevitable over-50 dating sites that are springing up as we speak.
If you're one of the many who are new to online dating, welcome! However, there's a few truths you must understand:
First, online dating may be cheaper and more convenient, but finding a lasting relationship is never easy. Those serious about finding a partner will have to put in work, sooner or later.
Many people hear the fairy-tale stories of love found online and expect that their experience will be just that: a fairytale. And maybe it will be, but there's nothing extra-magical about meeting people online. It is one of the most efficient, reasonable ways to meet new people with potentially similar interests, sure – but that's all it is, an avenue to meet someone. The rest is up to you, with all the mundane trials of any relationship. Still, for many people, simply finding the person is the hardest part; maybe, for them, it is magical.
Secondly, many novices to the online dating world are novices to the Internet in general. If you fit into this category, that means that you're potentially more vulnerable, and it might be easier for a scam artist to take advantage of you.
In this instance, the best defense is knowledge and a good support system. Read up on online safety practices and find out what some of the most recent scams are. Talk to friends and family when you're first getting your feet wet, see if anything rings their warning bells.
Using an online dating site is really no more dangerous than meeting someone in the grocery store, as long as you're well-versed in basic Internet safety. Think of the Internet like moving to a new city; it's bigger, and there might be sections to avoid. Still, once you get used to it, it's home, with new and exciting opportunities everywhere!
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