Internet Dating
From WikEd
[edit] Descriptions,definition, synonyms, organizer terms, types of
A Net dating service, also known as online dating, is an example of a dating system and allows individuals, couples and groups to meet online and possibly develop a social, romantic or sexual relationship. Net dating services provide un-moderated matchmaking through the use of personal computers and the Internet. Internet dating is happy hour for people who don't feel like going to the meat market that most bars have become. Internet dating is a convenient and relatively safe (when done properly) way for anyone to explore their options in a time where we have been programmed to think that we need to have an unlimited amount of choices. Anyone who can read and has access to the internet can try it and most of the sites out there are free. Internet dating is highly used and providers have made mega-bucks.U.S. residents spent $469.5 million on online dating and personals in 2004, the largest segment of "paid content" on the web, according to a study conducted by the Online Publishers Association (OPA) and comScore Networks.
[edit] What is Online Dating
Dating sites on the internet cater to any group, interests, or religion. Millions of people have tried online dating in the past few years and over a 100,000 new people go online in search of love on a weekly basis, according to Personal Helper.com. Several sites exist that offer online date. Active daters are the ones who have the best chance of finding love on the internet because they are the most willing to put the effort into it. They research the sites to find which one is the best for them, they carefully craft their profile so that it really shows off who they are, and when they look for people they like they send emails to those who catch their eye. A passive dater is generally a person who is not fully committed to the idea of meeting someone online and is probably not a paying member of a dating site. They have the concept that there is someone out there that is perfect for them and by setting up an ad on a website than that person will find them.
[edit] Applications in and effects on classrooms and similar settings
Governmental agencies have highly scrutinized the internet and its open access. Educational institutions, by law, are required to place filters that would block access to unauthorized sites. The blocked sites were created to protect children from potential danger.
Despite the filters students are able to gain access to places where they can meet someone, via the internet, for dating purposes.
[edit] Effectiveness of Internet Dating
Dating sites allow members to meet more people than they would without such sites. People can easily browse other members’ profiles before deciding to communicate. Members can communicate anonymously and with reduced fear or social awkwardness. The effect of geography is mitigated and members can meet people of distant locations. Dating sites that offer free or moderately priced services allow users to socialize with other singles in a convenient, inexpensive way.
[edit] Critics and their rationales
"I dont think you are able to get a genuine feel for a person from meeting them over the net where often times people tend to fabricate things a tad on their profiles. I think it is better and healthier to meet someone when you are out and about so that you could sit and personally talk with them rather than over the net." Yarneccia D. Hamilton, MSW
"I feel people tend to be connected better when looking into a person's eyes talking to them rather than meeting, chatting for a while, and then hooking up." Necci
[edit] Signed "life experiences," testimonies and stories
"I found the whole process rather New-Agey and overly reliant on religious beliefs,"
says Peter McLaughlin, 37, a veteran online dater
"I spend lots of time in chat rooms being various names and people. Halle Berry
I tried Dr. Neil Simon's 'E Harmony' online dating system a year or so ago, and found it completely rewarding. There is a very intense screening process that you have to go through yourself called the 'personality profile'. This is a serious of psychological questions about likes/dislikes, beliefs, mannerisms, etc. They site they matches you up with people whom meet your profile requirements and whom they think will best suit you. Once 'matched', you begin answering multiple choice questions, and then written questions as you progress stages. If the person wants to talk with you, you then have the opportunity to send them a message and then all communication between you and them is open. I met some great people off of there and found the 'matches' to be fairly true to what I look for in a person. I would recommend it to anyone considering online dating but it is a little costly. -J. Daeschler
I just went to my friends wedding in May. He met his bride in an on-line dating service. E. Elrick
I am a big fan of online dating. I have I meet many people through and online service called "Mi Gente" and "Blackplanet". I have met people throughout the state and sometimes I go on dates if I am in Chicago. (Most of the ment I meet are in that area). It's very interesting. Ty Martin
I do not have a problem with adults taking part on online dating, but I do have a problem with young kids taking part in this sort of thing. I have just heard of too many horror stories about older men trying to take advantage of young people in this situation. No matter how old you are you had better do your background on these people before you meet them amd meet the people in a public place the first time. Bret Helms
My brother met his wife on the Internet, and it seemed to have worked out well for him! I think it should be restricted to adults, for obvious reasons. Of course, Internet dating is bound to be frought with disasters, but after all, isn't dating in general? I see the benefits of getting some information before wasting time meeting in person -S. Yunker
I agree with many of the comments listed so far. I believe there is nothing wrong wiht using technology to assist you with meeting the right person. However, that said individuals need to be smart to approach to on-line dating. Do research to determine what services are good and which ones might hook you up with a Ted Bundy. I have seen research that 25% of underage children will be approached on-line in a sexual manner. Be safe and be smart. T. Ashley
Safety is a major concern when meeting people on-line as far as I am concerned. I think that it would be difficult to get a good idea of who someone is without meeting them in person. At the same time you may meet with someone in person and have one idea and then the person turns out to be totally different. M Rice
I agree with the above statement about safety. I had tried internet dating at one point about 4 years ago, and although I encountered no safety issues, people seem to not filter their personal information as seriously over the internet as they do in person. Plus, you never know if the person you are chatting with is 16 or 36, as there is a certain amount of anonimity on the internet. Ironically as an alternative to the internet, I opted for speed-dating and met my wife as a result. In a speed-dating situation, you actually can get to know a lot about a person in 3 minutes and it's not a threatening environment. My wife and I have been happily married for almost two years. - W. Rank
I have found the online dating world to be a mixture of excitement, embarrassment, and insecurity. I have met some interesting people online, and also have met some people I wish I hadn't! --David Roth
I have several friends who have tried meeting people they met on online dating services and MySpace. Not one of them has gone on more than one date this person. I have never tried it, because it seems awkward and it's very scary to meet someone that way. There are always stories in the media about all of the online predators. - K. Shifflet
After trying online dating a few years ago, I was disappointed in the kinds of people on the sites. I am an extremely social person but thought I'd give it a try. Does online dating perpetuate some social skill deficiencies? In addition to some other thoughts above, I am very worried about teenagers and the internet. Many students of mine post a LOT of information on MySpace....multiple photos of themselves, their friends, their schedules, where they work--some even post their phone numbers! Discretion is the key because as DateLine has shown us, it is very easy for predators to take advantage of teens and adults alike. -M. Hanes
[edit] References and other links of interest
LifeStyle:Halle Berry bitten by online dating bug!Asian News InternationalWashington, July 30, 2005 Retrieved on July 31,2005 from Hindustantime.com
Profile Helper: What is online dating? Retrieved on August 1, 2005,from ProfileHelper.com
Wikipedia: Online Dating. Retrieved on August 1, 2005 from Online Dating
