Internet Dating – The Good, Bad and Ugly

The search for a companion, friend, partner, or a ‘date’ to spice up one’s life is not a new phenomenon; yet, the modus operandi seems to have undergone a revolution. Not too long ago, relationships began in restaurants, in church gatherings, or during social get-togethers, where the chemistry between two people formed the beginning of an equation. Locked gazes turned into loving exchanges, leading to clandestine meetings to discover the potential of the relationship.

Today, the networking generation gazes into the resplendent computer screen to connect to the happening world of the World Wide Web, waiting for that precious life-altering Click. Click- Connect-Engage seems to be the order of the day!

Internet has undoubtedly transformed the world by seamlessly shrinking geographical distances and bringing people closer. The penetration of the internet is so profound, that people enjoy the ‘best of both worlds’ - the virtual and the actual, to such an extent, that life appears quite dull, boring and unimaginable without the INTERNET.

Caught in the inescapable clutch of the internet, the manner of dating and friendship has undergone a sea change. Many dating and social networking websites have grown to cash in on this trend, raking in the spoils of what is now a multibillion dollar industry.

Finding a mate online has never been so easy. A plethora of options present themselves in the form of intricately designed websites, which offer a range of services to pander to varied preferences. With millions of profiles to choose from, users are simply spoilt for choice. Indeed, it is an invitation into the world of fantasy, which many find hard to resist.

Looking for a prospective date, or singles, on the internet could well begin by posting online personal advertisements or the profile on dating websites. With no holds barred on creativity, players can ask what they want, allowing imagination to run amok. The response may be sooner or later, with the opportunity to proceed to the next step. The floor is now open for chats, voice chats, text messages, video chats, et al. To what extent the relationship proceeds, is completely dependent upon the interest level of those involved.

Casting the ‘net’ far and wide ….

• According to the US Census, 40% of American adults patronize the services of online dating sites resulting in about 120,000 marriages annually. Nearly 48% of online daters happen to be men.

• In India, 51% of urban Indians patronize dating websites, while 48% use matrimonial sites to find their life partner.

• In Canada, 1.1 to 1.2 million people patronize the services of online dating websites.

• Nearly 38.2 million European internet users visit online personal sites in a month. 50% of Europeans date online and this may translate into an exponential growth for the European web dating market, slated to grow by 30% this year.

• China too expects dating patrons to grow in huge numbers. With 64 million singles residing in the nation, the market is expected to double in the present year.