It’s easier than ever to meet someone online. It’s not just a single someone. People can match and talk to tens, if not hundreds, of people a day on dating apps. Seems pretty easy, right?
While easier and more convenient, online dating isn’t for everyone. People have different dating needs. These needs can determine if the benefits of online dating outweigh the disadvantages of online dating.
Today, that’s what we’re here for. Our dating experts shine a light on online dating pros and cons and if it’s meant for you.
Online dating has been around for several decades, yet it has only exploded in popularity in recent years. Now, online dating even has its official definition in the Oxford Dictionary.
Online dating, sometimes referred to as internet dating, is the use of the internet to arrange to meet somebody and possibly begin a romantic relationship with them.
In other words, it’s a way to meet and connect with other singles without ever having to meet in person. Online daters today spend most of their time on dating sites and apps.
Here’s how online or internet dating works:
Not feeling the online dating energy? While online dating is good for some people, it’s not perfect. Singles can also find successful love through traditional dating.
Research shows that singles are both interested in and actively engaging in online dating.
As many as 3 in 10 Americans have used a dating site or app in the past. For Gen-Z adults between 18 and 25 years old, the frequency was even higher at 53%. And 17% of the total population are actively online dating. According to Statista, this means there are over 60 million people using online dating apps.
Can you imagine 60 million people? With that many people, it’s easy to find women online and form online relationships.
The popularity of online dating isn’t slowing down either. People will keep online dating as long as society continues to normalize digital-first connections.
Online or internet dating and its growing popularity make digital relationships more dynamic than ever. Singles can meet and match with all sorts of people looking for different things. This ranges from fun and casual dating to serious and committed talks about marriage.
And everything in between.
To help you navigate online dating and dating sites, here are different types of online relationships you can expect:
As society gets more fast-paced, online dating keeps up with that pace. There are many benefits of online dating that make it a favorite among singles today.
Everyone has a phone, and a phone is all you need to start dating online. Online dating sites let you connect with others at the touch of a finger. Singles can add photos, write a bio, and get verified on dating sites and apps in just a few minutes. Once verified, people can swipe and scroll whenever they want.
This convenience lets busy singles enjoy love and fun without sacrificing their existing schedules.
When people date online, they aren’t limited to their local town or state. If singles were interested, they could even match with someone from a different country. Online dating sites offer singles the chance to connect with people outside their typical social circles. These diverse and dynamic relationships are often also the most exciting.
The dynamic nature of online dating is a benefit of online dating in itself. People on dating apps are more open to discussing their relationship needs compared to those in real life. This leaves less room for shame and more room for open exploration of something new.
We’ve all been on a bad date once or twice. And, most of the time, it’s because we went on the date without knowing much the other person. Singles can take advantage of dating site match filters to search exactly how they want. Match filters can be sorted by characteristics like gender, race, sexuality, and even star sign, to name a few.
Everyone knows the value of confidence, but confidence can also be trained, according to researchers at the University of Michigan. Online rejections don’t feel as personal or intimidating, so it makes it easier for singles to put themselves out there. Online daters can practice building connections and flirting–and this practice is what builds confidence.
Still, online dating isn’t perfect. It comes with its own set of disadvantages to consider. Depending on the person, these disadvantages of online dating can even become deal-breakers.
Online daters may match with others and not have the best intentions in mind. These singles may overly focus on wealth and status and look over genuine connections. Other online daters may chat and speak with their matches without any real intention of pursuing something more.
One big disadvantage of online dating is fake profiles. Hackers, scammers, and trolls use these fake accounts to steal sensitive information and data from unsuspecting online daters. Every year, over 60,000 fall victim to this type of love scam.
Though looks aren’t everything, being catfished (or lied to about one’s appearance) isn’t a good feeling. People may use outdated or enhanced photos of themselves, which misrepresents how they look in real life.
This isn’t a deal-breaker for everyone, but it can be for singles looking for something long-term. Many online daters are just looking for fun and a quick fling. Others may not be looking for anything at all besides attention.
Online daters forfeit certain privacy rights when they sign up for online dating sites. Their photos and basic demographic details are shared with other users and can be shared with potential advertisers, too. Some of the biggest dating apps have also reported data breaches in the past.
When everything happens online, people might treat online dating less seriously than they would in person. As a result, singles can be met with shallow and rude interactions. Singles may have deep conversations one day and then be blocked the next without notice. As a result, online daters can experience negative feelings and low self-esteem if they don’t set boundaries.
Is online dating worth it? It depends on the person. But, there is a way to maximize the benefits and minimize the disadvantages of online dating. If there’s one thing to remember, always trust your instincts.
If they bombard you with compliments and suddenly ask for money, red flag. Or, if they ask you to reveal sensitive information or share explicit photos right away, it is another red flag. Online daters can avoid many red flags if they trust their instincts and stay grounded in reality.
Whether you’re looking for an online hookup or something more serious, it’s always important to follow your gut feelings. If something feels off or uncomfortable, take a step back.
There isn’t a clear winner between online dating vs traditional dating because both have their respective strong suits. Online dating offers convenience and a wider reach, but traditional dating is often less risky and more suited for long-term daters.
What if you could have the best of both worlds?
Since our start, Nu-Date has always prioritized serious and long-term relationships. Our dating site offers all the convenient benefits of online dating while keeping all the good parts of traditional dating.
Sign up for Nu-Date and try it out for yourself.
Maria Biz is an expert in the field of dating and relationships with 7 years of experience. Her mission is to help you build successful relationships and find true love.
