Negative Aspects of Online Dating With technology advances steadily in today’s society, individuals steadily advance too. One of these aspects includes dating. Individuals in today’s society hope to find companionship through online dating websites so that someday some online daters might be able to find a companion. With websites like eHarmony, Match, Christian Mingle, OkCupid, Black People Meet, and JDate, finding the one seems to be easier and more convenient than ever. Most of these websites even display statistics showing that one out of five relationships start online. The questions that should be asked, is this a better and safer option than looking for the one in person? Individuals tend to ignore the possible risks involving online dating. They are willing to release personal information from pictures of oneself, to locations of where they work, or live just for the possibility of finding a companion. The online users have to ask themselves: is the risk worth it in the end, or does the benefit outweighs the cost? When searching for a companionship through online dating websites, negative aspects such as profiles, self-presentation, self-disclosure, predators and sexual mishaps, may outweigh the positive aspects and cause more problems and strife then actual good. Profiles The first part of the online dating, the profile, a summary of one self with positive sentences and adjectives, is where the risk begins. Dating websites requires the website users to start by writing about himself or herself. Individuals usually do not include any negative aspects, which could potentially harm his or her chance in attracting a companion. Instead, individuals put whatever they can to have the best website search as possible. Some of thi... ... middle of paper ... ...080/13698570701488936 Couch, D., Liamputtong, P., & Pitts, M. (2012). What are the real and perceived risks and dangers of online dating? Perspectives from online daters. Health, Risk & Society, 14(7-8), 697-714. doi:10.1080/13698575.2012.720964 Davis, M., Hart, G., Bolding, G., Sherr, L., & Elford, J. (2006). Sex and the Internet: Gay men, risk reduction and serostatus. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 8(2), 161-174. doi:10.1080/13691050500526126 Rosen, L. D., Cheever, N. A., Cummings, C., & Felt, J. (2008). The impact of emotionality and self-disclosure on online dating versus traditional dating. Computers In Human Behavior, 24(5), 2124-2157. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2007.10.003 Toma, C. L., & Hancock, J. T. (2012). What lies beneath: The linguistic traces of deception in online dating profiles. Journal Of Communication, 62(1), 78-97. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2011.01619.x
In “Love, Internet Style” by David Brooks, Brooks clearly states that he thinks that because of American online dating sites we are seeing a revolution in the way people meet and court one another. He also implies throughout the story that the internet slows things down and I agree. The internet makes it easier to take things slowly. People tend to take their time getting to know one another and their personalities before they even think about meeting face-to-face. However, online dating has a dangerous side because of the fact you are going into it blind. Most likely you would know at least a little bit about the person you were going to have a date with face-to-face. In my opinion, online dating is a way to hide behind a keyboard and say
In “A Million First Dates” (The Atlantic, Jan/Feb 2013), Dan Slater argues commiting to a stable relationship is negatively influenced by online dating because of a decline in commitment in couples. Essentially, the more options a person is given to find the perfect person in a short amount of time, the less they are inclined to stay in a relationship. For example, Slater’s case study subject, Jacob, a man with a difficult time meeting women and genuinely falling in love. After easily finding a dream woman on a dating website he found it easier to find someone else once their relationship ended. Hence, online dating made it easier for him (and possibly other users) to change views on a long or lifetime monogamous relationship. Additionally,
This article presents the deceptions of online dating through the users profiles through self-presentation, emotions and trustworthiness.
Ansari states in his article that because of technology Americans have never had as many romance options as they currently do allowing increased interaction. However, he does note that with all these options there are still downsides to online dating, much like medicine has its side effects. In the article there is a section titled “Where Bozos are Studs” Within this section we see him imply that the internet can make someone feel too empowered because of the many options they have. Also, Ansari points out that it is possible that the simplest of qualities could disqualify you from finding your soul mate on these dating sites. For example a man saw a woman who had similar qualities but she was a Red Sox fan so he continued to search. Ansari also expands more on the topic of dating in genera. He speaks on the phases of a relationship, the passionate phase and the sometimes unattainable compassionate phase. Ansari has a first-hand experience with how people failed to make it pass passionate love when he attends a wedding. Several couples who attend the wedding end up splitting
There is no doubt that recent technological advancements have changed the way humans interact with one another in the 21st century. Through email, text messages, and social networking sites, we are able to get in touch with people all over the world in a much faster and more efficient manner than in previous years. Since modern technology has become such an integral part of our everyday lives, it is certainly not uncommon for two people to meet and connect with each other via the Internet. Members of this relatively new subculture of online daters invest a great deal of time and energy into their romantic affairs. In fact, according to Robert Epstein’s “The Truth About Online Dating,” advertising materials from the largest online dating services suggest that over 50 million Americans are currently using such services, and that they are wholly satisfied with the results (34). Unfortunately, however, the controversial subject of online relationships in modern society is frequently misrepresented by the media. Many films and television shows exaggerate the risks associated with online dating, choosing to highlight extreme examples of lies and deception for the sake of maintaining their dramatic quality. Other forms of media tend to romanticize online dating, consequently giving Internet users unrealistic expectations for their own relationships. Whether it depicts the frightening or idealized side of online dating, popular culture makes a conscious effort to feature sensationalized stories in order to appeal to a target audience that relies solely on entertainment. As a result, the truth about Internet dating is not adequately conveyed, which ultimately results in the public’s distorted image of such online practices.
Online dating has become so popular through the years. It has been a stepping stone for people of all ages in different ways. Most young people use social networking, and most people of older descent uses dating websites like eHarmony where you have to pay to meet that perfect match. Nev, Ernie, and Shauntel were all victims of online dating and as you can see most result came out positive and other times it came out negative. Ernie has was one who seen his cup both half full and half empty. The show Catfish shows the many people get lied to through online dating and gives a really bad name. Statistics show that people on online dating site lie about their age, height, and weight to make there self-look more appealing to others. Online dating can be used for good or for evil but it all depends on who’s sitting behind the computer screen.
The ways in which people interact, connect, and communicate with one another has changed significantly due to technology. This is parallel to the rise of dating networks. Twenty years ago, dating strictly consisted of face-to-face interactions. A change first occurred when basic dating websites were introduced. These websites asked various questions about interests, hobbies, career, and life. This information is then used to match users with people who share similar characteristics. However, a new dating social network, Tinder, has “swiped” the nation and created a sensation: The Tinder Effect. Tinder has enhanced the need for instant gratification in our “hookup culture”, and by analyzing how it works we can determine how it can and cannot relate to realistic relationships.
Think about how your grandparents met; was it at a job they both worked at? Then think how your parents met, through their friend group? Now, how do you plan to meet your soulmate? Over the past ten years, dating has done a complete 360-degree turn. A study done on Americans by the Pew Research Center found, “66% of online daters have gone on a date with someone they met through a dating site or app, and 23% of online daters say they have met a spouse or long term relationship through these sites (Smith and Duggan).” From a boy asking a girl’s parents permission to date their daughter, to today when people resort to dating apps and websites like, Okcupid or Tinder.
In today’s society, dating websites have become a very popular way for people, particularly singles, to meet online and meet their potential mate. Internet dating has become more or less accepted as a means to forming a relationship, and with so many different matchmaking websites, potential partners are being well marketed. The sites promote use by publicizing the idea that anyone can find their perfect mate. However, what people fail to understand is that it’s easier to lie online rather than face to face. “Just as statements can be falsified, so can entire online profiles-….” (McIntosh 230) it opens up opportunities for people to be coerced into sending money, or personal information to someone they met online. In her essay “Digital Deception”
Few people will argue that online dating has become the preferred method to find dates, relationships, and possible soul-mates. eHarmony frequently advertises with the statistics that in one year they had 33, 000 people get married after meeting in its networking site. There are statistics out that predict that more than 100,000 people get married each year after meeting in a dating network. (Tracey, 2005) With statists like these, one can see why there would be so much high pressure to win curious newcomers. There are marketing tools and techniques used to win them over. These online dating sites have done many things correct.
With social networking services being more and more popular, it is universal to have online dating. According to a report, “over 40 million Americans have given online dating a try, and over a third of the American couples married between 2005 and 2012 met online.” This phenomenon causes us to think deeply about whether online dating is advisable or not. Because of the rapid development of technology and economy, many stressed people are eagerly seeking confidence and self-identity through the internet. Therefore, online dating has become a new and acceptable method of loving subconsciously. However, it should never replace meeting a person in real life because it may be spurious, illusory and fragile.
The Internet is used to look up information, to e-mail your friends, and now even to find your soul mate. Today, verified by “Reuters”, “Herald News”, “PC World”, and the “Washington Post”, 47.6 percent of women are turning to online dating (“Online Dating” 1). Why settle for someone in town, when you can meet someone online whom you may be better suited for? Busy lifestyles are also a reason why dating sites have increased in popularity. It is faster and simple to post a profile and wait for a hand full of possibilities, than to go out to bars and clubs night after night looking for the “one”. Online dating advertisements on the television have a horrendous role on influencing viewers to try their services as well. However, meeting people online can be dangerous. Many scammers and lies are often told in online profiles, such as physical appearance, age, sex, and so on. Sharing private personal information on matchmaking services and or on social networking is unsafe.
From a report of Dating Safety and Victimization in Traditional and Online Relationship, Koeppel, Smith and Bouffard concluded that with the use of Internet helps increasing online dating and they use it to broaden their social circles and find their partner. People are more willing to accept online dating but their attitude towards online dating is still negative because of the negative impacts (6).
Dating nowadays has evolved into something similar to a math equation. Technology has changed society and culture so much in the 21st century that something which did not seem normal probably 30 years ago seems mundane now: meeting people via computer. In order to find the most compatible person, suddenly people are not able to find “the one” and need the help of a computer to tell them who their personality matches with, causing many people to not develop proper social skills along with confidence. People have different relationship goals which they wish to achieve, be it through either traditional or online dating. Although traditional and online dating have many similarities, at the same time they are very different when it comes to the
In recent years, online dating has become very popular with 1-in-5 Americans aged 25-34 years old using one or more of the many popular dating sites and apps, such as match.com, OkCupid, and PlentyOfFish. With the stigma of online dating gone, it’s turned out to be a great way to date, have fun, and potentially fall in love.