The advancement of communication technology and appearance of various social media platforms that has been happening during the recent years transforms how we work, shop, entertain ourselves, and also how to meet new people and build relationships. In fact, new opportunities for online dating convince people to shift from traditional to Internet-based ways of meeting new people and finding companionship. Online dating platforms are on the rise, with many options available to fit the different demands of those looking for anything from casual sexual encounters to a serious relationship and anything in between. With online dating platforms being easily accessible and convenient ways of meeting new people, individuals must remain aware of the dangers surrounding interacting with strangers over the internet to protect themselves from the unwanted consequences of online dating.
The growing availability and popularity of online dating services has sparked numerous controversies in the recent years. Namely, people have been comparing online and traditional dating, assessing its benefits, and discussing the risks associated with online dating. This discussion has been relevant both within popular culture and among scholars studying the cultural and social consequences of this trend. This paper relies on evidence about online dating coming from relevant research articles as well as from general media. Analysis and conclusions presented in this research paper will be of value for young people, parents, educators, my classmates, and to everyone interested in the topic of online dating.
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"Benefits and Risks of Online Dating".
Online dating is a growing trend with many people turning to it because of the conveniences and benefits it offers. About 15% of all American adults have reported using online dating resources in 2015. This number is growing every year and contrary to the expectations of many, it is not just young people who seek to use the internet to meet potential dates on the Internet (Meltzer, 2015). In fact, baby-boomers make the fastest growing segment of online dating platforms. And the market of online dating offers resources to meet the needs the interests and needs of different people by offering users to choose between web-based services and apps, to select the age group the platform is targeted at, and even to choose a dating service that united people with similar beliefs, interests, and/or opinions.
The reasons people turn to online dating are many. The most common ones reported by the users are the experienced struggles with meeting new people in traditional way, the ability to widen their social circle, the opportunity to know something about the person before engaging in a conversation with them, perceived safety and ability to control what personal information is shared, and relative ease of dropping the unpleasant conversation and moving on (Vandeweerd et al., 2016).
Apart from these reasons, it is important to note the convenience offered by online dating platforms. Further, the fact that many people engage in this trend and it is a widely discussed topic in society may serve as additional motivation for many people to start. While some people report being satisfied with online dating, many others are not so happy with the outcomes (Meltzer, 2015).
Online dating is associated with numerous disadvantages and risks that degrade users’ overall experience with online dating platforms. Disadvantages of online dating refer to some aspects of online dating that make people feel dissatisfied with their experience. The most common disadvantages include the high rates of deception and lying in the way people present themselves online that results in disappointments. Further, users of online dating platforms often mention lack of success in finding the person they would be interested in dating as it is difficult to have an open conversation via the Internet just as it is nearly impossible for chemistry to build up online (Vandeweerd et al., 2016).
A more concerning aspect of online dating at categorized as risks of online dating. Risks refer to potential dangers and threats to individual life, health, and well-being associated with online dating. The vast majority of users recognize that online dating is a somewhat risky endeavor. The key risks associated with online dating include compromised safety of personal information, financial fraud, the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease in case of a sexual encounter, as well as the risks of sexual assault and physical violence (Vandeweerd et al., 2016). The latter is especially common with adolescents who are tricked into the meeting by older offenders (Wolak et al., 2013).
In order to protect themselves from possible threats and disappointments, users of online dating platforms should take the necessary precautions when meeting people and communication online. Namely, it is crucial for everyone to be attentive to inconsistent or outright misleading information on the profile of the person they communicate to. Further, it is recommended not to disclose any personal information or contacts before one is sure they can trust the other party (Goldsborough, 2017).
When it comes to safeguarding oneself of more severe risks that come with the decision to meet someone in person, it is crucial to exercise an even higher degree of caution. It is recommended to arrange dates in the public places and to meet the person at least a couple of times before letting the guard down. Further, one has to always be cautious of whether the other party tries to manipulate them into something they do not want. Lastly, adolescents should be especially cautious and parents and teachers should make an effort to teach the youngsters to be careful and cautious when communicating with strangers online (Wolak et al., 2013).
Drawing conclusions, it is important to recognize that the rise of online dating consistent with the general trends of cultural development we observe today and despite the criticism, online dating is here to stay. Hence, in order to avoid the potential risks and have the best possible experience of using online dating resources, people should be aware of the risks outlined in this paper. Knowing about potential traps may help one to safeguard oneself and may offer valuable insights for developers to consider when building online products to maximize safety and user satisfaction.
- Goldsborough, R. (2017). Don’t Be a Lonely Heart Victim. Teacher Librarian, 45(2), 62.
- Meltzer, M. (2017). Match Me If You Can. Consumer Reports, 82(2), 38.
- Vandeweerd, C., Myers, J., Coulter, M., Yalcin, A., & Corvin, J. (2016). Positives and negatives of online dating according to women 50+. Journal Of Women & Aging, 28(3), 259-270. doi:10.1080/08952841.2015.1137435
- Wolak, J., Evans, L., Nguyen, S., & Hines, D. A. (2013). Online Predators: Myth versus Reality. New England Journal Of Public Policy, 25(1), 1-11.
