The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating

Trying to get partners online has been a thing for a while now. In the past, there used to be matchmakers who would help people find their soulmates. However, with the arrival of the internet, a lot has changed in how people find partners online. 

Today there are even websites that help you find partners from specific countries. For instance, Philippines dating sites help you meet potential Filipino partners. Despite the many benefits of online dating, some disadvantages come with these platforms. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of online dating. 

The Upsides of Online Dating

Several benefits come with online dating, thanks to the internet. Some of them include:: 

1. You Get to Meet More People

Given it is an online space, there is no limit to how many people are on there. This means you have a lot of potential people with whom you can match. If you live in a place where there aren’t so many people, or you don’t have many people you find compatible with you, online dating could solve your problems. You also save a lot of time by quickly looking through the profiles.

There are various dating apps tailored to different groups, catering to diverse demographics and interests which increases the potential to find your perfect match. For instance, there are apps specifically designed for mature individuals seeking meaningful connections, such as eHarmony, which has age limits to ensure a more focused and compatible user base. Read this to learn more about eHarmony age limits and other guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable online dating experience. Additionally, there are niche dating apps for specific communities, such as LGBTQ+ dating apps like Grindr or HER, which provide a safe space for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community to connect. By quickly browsing through profiles, online dating apps can save time and provide a convenient platform to meet potential matches, making them a popular choice for individuals seeking to expand their dating pool and find meaningful connections.

2. Online Platforms Are Great for Shy People

Not many people have the confidence to approach others and talk to them. Online virtual dating sites are great; you don’t have to do that. Instead, you can interact with people via messages, pictures, or videos about yourself and how you want to portray yourself to others. However, doing this in person can create a lot of pressure on shy people, who might not have the composure to say what they need to communicate within a brief encounter.

3. It Feels Safer

Online interactions allow you to talk with people before meeting them in person. This keeps you from interacting with strangers you’ve never met or talked to. 

You could also look at their profiles and see what they are all about before engaging or initiating any form of contact beforehand. It is also possible to look them up via Google or social media to see their background information. 

All this is especially beneficial for women who feel safer knowing someone well before deciding to meet them physically.  

The Downsides

As much as there are benefits to finding a dating partner online, you could also run into trouble when using these platforms.

  • Scammers

In the age of the internet, especially when you cannot tell who is on the other end of the keyboard, scammers are always a possibility. Some of the profiles you run into might not be real, and you might fall for their tricks. 

Therefore, you must educate yourself about being on guard and ensuring your online safety. Avoid revealing private information about yourself; consider anyone asking you to send them money a red flag.  

  • Inaccuracy of online profiles

In many scenarios, online profile pictures may not always reflect the person in real life. Unlike physical dating, where you observe the person you are interested in, how they look in real life, and their mannerisms, it is impossible in virtual spaces. 

For example, the person you are interested in could have bad habits or poor hygiene in person when their profile picture portrays them as perfect. 

So don’t always believe what people post on their profiles. Leave some room for surprises when you eventually meet them. Photos can also be manipulated to look different from the person in real life.

Conclusion

Online dating is here to stay, and many people find their matches online these days. These platforms give you a large pool of people to choose from, giving you options and variety. They also save you the time and effort you’d have spent hitting on people in person. However, online dating has its downsides too, and knowing them can help you be more vigilant on the platform.

Photo by Pratik Gupta on Unsplash