Disclaimer: If you are older than 40, a single parent, or divorced, this doesn’t necessarily apply to you.
I understand why you’re on a dating site. Life can get busy.
But if you have ever checked out a dating site or app, you can probably understand the good, bad, and ugly of it all. These days everyone is connected to the internet in some way, shape or form, so why not connect with others deeper than adding them to your friend’s list? For so many people out there, talking over a phone or computer can prove to be much, much easier than stumbling upon a special someone, especially if computers and phones are convenient in work and at home. But we all know there are some really special forever couples out there that have started out online, and there are some of those not-so-good cases that we know all too well. If either of these is you, I’m not judging, I just wish we could all meet people the way our parents did.
No matter which category you fall into, here is the good, the bad, and the ugly of online dating:
The Good
Let’s be real for a sec here. Dating is fucking hard in this day and age. Online dating might not be helping everyone, but it has proven to create positive relationships. For example, how else are you going to make random connections with people who probably would have never crossed your path? We live in a totally connected world where we can speak to anyone around the globe if and when we want to by using a dating site or app. I mean, you can meet new people and experience new things. Maybe you aren’t doing it the way your grandparents did, but so what? Right? We’ve evolved and online dating is just a product of that evolution. This could be how it’s going to be from now on, and we have to adjust!
The Bad
The convenience of technology these days is really taking a toll on how people interact with each other both in and out of dating. From the phenomenon that’s gotten everyone into saying “same” to memes that have nothing to do with feelings, to the obliviousness and/or complete disregard to how others are feeling, hanging out on the internet has gotten a little out of control. Online dating sites and apps allow anyone to hide behind a screen name and ideal profile, rather than the real and raw side of meeting a new lover from being blessed by a stranger after a sneeze in a strange city. Being able to rely on a screen to talk to however many online strangers you want can really end badly for the hopeful romantics out there.
The Ugly
How are you certain the person you’re talking to is actually the person they say they are? You can never be 100% sure because you haven’t met them. They are behind a technological device. They could be showing you a fake personality or even a false photo. They could even be extremely dangerous. You have no idea what they could be doing behind that screen, maybe they’re married with kids and a full-time parent, maybe they’re pedophiles, you really don’t know what’s going on behind that profile. Also, your feelings could be getting taken advantage of, and maybe they just want to get laid. If you are dating online you need to be extremely cautious, because of these reasons.
There are always good, bad, and ugly sides to any situation, but the good, bad, and ugly surrounding any bit of online dating should never, ever be overlooked. There are plenty of couples who’ve made it in the world after they met online, and there will always be some not-so-successful couples as well. Quite a few of those unsuccessful relationships might even be dangerous or harmful mentally and/or physically so these strangers (anyone who you don’t know in person is a stranger, Stranger Danger – remember?!) could be hiding anything behind that screen. If you’re looking to date over the internet, be safe, have fun, and stay cool! If you’ve had your own online dating experience, good, bad, or ugly please DO SHARE in the comments!
Collaboration with Allie Braun
Featured image via Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
