Pros and Cons of Internet Dating

It is amazing when you think about how many good relationships begin with meeting someone online or internet dating. But there are also online dating experiences that are not so positive and sometimes end with bad experiences or even in tragedy. The key is to be aware of the pros and cons of meeting virtual strangers. To know more about those things you can do to enjoy the benefits and avoid the drawbacks and heartaches that can come from this new form of finding relationships, consider the 8 pros and cons below.

Pro #1 - Time Spent Developing New Relationship

With help from your computer and the sorting capabilities of various dating Websites, you can qualify prospective relationships from hundreds of candidates sorted by age, interests, religions and political preferences, and even language.

Con #1 – Deception and Illusion

Not everyone you find on an online dating service will be honest about themselves. When it comes to age, education, experiences, photos and interests, you can't always be sure that what you see is what you'll get. You have to be careful about what you believe until you have more proof.

Pro #2 -  Religion, Background and Culture

Some people will only date others of similar faiths. If you identify as Christian, Jewish, Muslim, atheist or any other religion, and if you prefer to limit your friends or dating relationships to those of your faith, you will be able to find dating Websites that will meet your needs. Some services even allow you to narrow your selections based on common academic or social backgrounds or specific conditions, like whether or not a possible match has been married before.

Con #2 – Cost and Fees

Almost without exception, dating Websites will charge monthly membership fees and/or service fees. There are no guarantees that you will find the person of your dreams. Realistically, you could continue paying a membership fee every month for years without finding the right match for you.

Pro #3 – Abundance of Choices

With some dating sites your choices seem almost endless. New members are signing on daily. You could virtually spend all your time exploring. For every site you find, there are probably 10 others with different members registered.

Con #3 – Communication and Interpretation

You may meet someone online whose profile seems perfect and whose emails seem smart, witty and otherwise attractive. Even though the person may be completely honest, he or she may not turn out to be what you have come to expect.

Pro #4 – Commitment and Freedom

There are, fortunately, few commitments made in preliminary internet relationships. You meet someone online, and if you don't like them, if they don't meet your needs or expectations, you move on. No commitments, no regrets. Nothing lost.

Con #4 – Dangerous Liaisons

A common mistake people in make in Internet dating, particularly women, is that they arrange meetings with potential dating partners without knowing enough about the new acquaintance. People who are overly anxious to meet the right person are often deceived into believing the person they have arranged to meet is harmless—even kind and loving. But regardless of what you are told by a stranger who wants to meet you, it is never a good idea to meet a total stranger in a private place. Instead, have your first meeting in a public location—a library, restaurant, etc.—where you are not alone with the individual and there are others around. Until you feel safe and secure in being with the individual, it is important to not let them know your home address.