Do you find yourself moping about whenever Valentine’s Day or more appropriately, Single Awareness Day comes around the corner? Do you feel like there’s not enough fish in the sea where you are? If you’ve answered yes to any of the questions previously, online dating may be the solution for you. All you need is an Internet connection and you’re good to go. The industry for online dating has been on the rise these past few years and there is over a thousand dating sites in the United Kingdom alone. Not enough fish? No problem! Simply widen the pool of potentials yourself.
There is an estimated 15 million single people in the United Kingdom, and the dating industry is estimated to be worth £150m in the next 3 years. A top dating site has claimed that it has contributed to 4% of British marriages. This increase over the years is most likely due to applications made available on smartphones, and statistics show that these users spend much more time using said applications compared to those on the web. Now, even those with busy lifestyles can find love on the go.
But of course, everything has its pros and cons. On the upside, online dating saves time. You don’t have to wait around for someone to set you up and you can narrow down the potential candidates with just a click of the mouse, just like a romance edition of Google. One of the cons of virtual dating is that it can be pricey, not to mention one can be scammed. To avoid that, always do your research and use a reputable online dating site.
In addition to that, we don’t really know who is behind the computer screen or that profile picture. Cases of married men posing as singles aren’t uncommon, not to mention there are predators lurking out there. Phone conversations can tell you a lot about a person, so always have a chat before meeting them in person. If you do decide to meet in person, select a public place and have a friend present nearby just in case.
Online dating can be fun, but one should be always be alert and remember this; if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.