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Online Dating: Swiping Through the Pros and Cons
In today’s world, most activities, particularly those of a social nature, are designed to be as convenient and efficient as possible. Enter online dating. This new era of digital connections is being bombarded by various mobile phone apps, some of which boast of having the power to bring people together with ease. But, as always, there are both negative and positive implications associated with online dating.


According to a survey conducted by Statistic Brain, 54 million Americans have used an online dating website or app. That being said, there is a plethora of data viewers can use to decide for themselves whether or not the positives outweigh the negatives.


One of the more obvious pros of online dating is the time factor. Professionals, who often don’t have time for the bar scene, can meet prospective partners much more quickly here. As well, the virtual environment eliminates some of the pressure faced when hitting up a bar or singles event. With online dating, individuals can take their time, access various accounts, and get to know their matches a bit more before they meet up.


A con to online dating, however, is that a certain amount of patience is required to make the process work. The dreaded ‘catfish’, which is when someone creates a false identity online in order to take advantage of other users, is a big risk. It’s also possible to meet someone who is dishonest about their background, career, or relationship status. In such cases, it can be time consuming and expensive to meet in the real world and confirm the details given online.


Online dating also has its fair share of scandal. In some cases, physical or sexual abuse has occurred after meeting someone who was untruthful in their online profile. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reported that almost half of US adults know someone who has been in an abusive online relationship. Consequently, people need to make sure the person they’re meeting is genuinely honest and sincere, and not just a fake account.


Still, there are numerous advantages to online dating. Communication is much easier over text, emails and apps, which can be slightly more convenient and comfortable for some people. Building trust isn’t as hard when there’s a distance, as this eliminates the insecurity of being ‘judged’ in person. Despite its challenges and risks, it’s certain that online dating, for better or for worse, will be around for the foreseeable future.


Increased Variety
Online dating provides a wealth of opportunities, as there are a remarkable variety of people who look for partners online. Moreover, this type of dating is relatively safe because the two people can focus on getting to know each other before divulging their personal information. With more traditional relationships, one would be increasingly exposed to a number of potential risks when meeting for the first time. With online dating, however, these risks are limited.


Demographics
Data from the Pew Research Center states that increased usage of online dating sites and apps is reflected in a larger percentage of U.S. adults now reporting that they’ve used online dating sites or apps: 11% of U.S. adults in 2005 compared to 21% in 2019. That being said, there’s a bigger audience out there to narrow down potential dates.


Higher Self-Disclosure Levels
One of the most compelling pros of online dating is the higher levels of self-disclosure exhibited. While people are still more likely to disclose information about themselves in chat rooms or message boards, online dating services facilitate even higher levels of self-disclosure. This can lead to better relationships and a greater understanding between those involved.


Validity of Information
Example surveys conducted by the Center for Psychology & Social Issues have found that one of the main concerns with online dating is that people often lie or exaggerate about themselves. As a result, the validity of the information on the profiles of individuals is often questioned. There is a need for greater vigilance to check or validate information on profiles. Ensuring that each profile is genuine is necessary to accurately represent the individual.


Selfies Over Self-Reflection
In addition, there may be a tendency for people to idolize the profile they’ve created for themselves, which can make it difficult to accurately reflect on whom they really are. Furthermore, users may spend more time focusing on how they look (i.e. choosing a selfie for their profile picture that will boost their ranks) instead of taking the time to reflect on their authentic character traits. This may lead to a lack of accurate self-appraisal.


Increased competition
Online dating can create quite a competitive atmosphere, as many of the profiles are vying for the same potential partner. This can lead individuals to rush decisions and pass up on potential matches solely based on a single picture or description. Online dating apps must implement features that allow users to compare and select matches based on in-depth user profiles, rather than solely on appearances.


Risky Behavior
The anonymity and access that online dating services provide can potentially allow users to engage in risky behaviors. This could in turn lead to potential health risks such as personal injury or emotional harm. Therefore, online dating providers must consider the needs to ensure the safety and security of their users, so they do not become victims of online predators or cybercriminals.

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