While Internet dating is still relatively new, it has already earned itself a negative connotation for nerds, being creepy, or just plain awkward. But for some, dating online may increase self-esteem as well as the dating pool.Online dating has a lot of advantages, said sociology professor Tony Walters.
"But human beings still need face to face interaction no matter how you look at it, especially for establishing a romantic relationship," he said.
Older generations didn't have the Internet, he said. In this generation, people do, and they are more accustomed to online relationships and interacting online.
Many students would prefer to meet potential lovers in person, through friends or in classes.
"There's plenty of people around that you can meet," said senior Marcus Kistler.
Senior Kristen Boyen said she thinks that people look to the Internet for relationships because it is more convenient with less pressure to impress. Dating online may be easier, especially if people are shy, because people aren't getting rejected to their face. Regardless, Boyen avoids the dot-com dating.
"I don't date randoms," she said. "If I meet someone, it's through a friend of a friend, or you become friends."
Dating online can be dangerous. Not only is a person's online identity a mystery, but their intentions could be as well.
Sophomore Becky Thompson said she thinks that online dating should be for older adults.
"When you're older, you know what you're doing," she said. "It's scarier for younger people."
Sophomore Amy Fechner recently made her sister a profile on match.com.
"Dating services aren't as sketchy," she said. "I don't feel like a child molester would go on a dating website."
Junior Cherie Robidous feels that the Internet is an OK place to find a significant other. While she doesn't exactly search the web for friends, she has met a couple of her ex-boyfriends and her current boyfriend online.
In a relationship started online, a person feels like they already know the other person when do meet, Robidous said.
"You can like each other for your personality before your looks," she said.
Just because online relationships skip that first date interview-like routine, doesn't mean that the nerves don't exist.
Even then, the first date is a little awkward, Robidous said. Pictures don't always portray a person's really appearance and most people send photos of themselves at their best. Robidous tries to show her bad picture first, she said.
"If they like me for my bad picture, then they'll like me even more for my better one."
Guys that Robidous meets around town are generally looking for a fling, she said. This is usually indicated on a person's profile.
Robidous doesn't see herself as the dating around for fun type. She wants to find "the one," she said.
"I know that this may not be the best way of doing it, but so far, so good," she said
While dating via keyboard may seem harmless, it still poses dangers. According to onlinedatingmagazine.com, dishonesty, stalking and even assault can come from Internet chitchat.
With dangers in mind, when meeting someone for the first time, daters should take precautions. According to the Online Dating Magazine, one should listen to gut instinct, meet in a public place and tell a friend where the meeting will take place. The magazine also recommends keeping personal information personal until onw know they can trust the otherperson.
By taking the necessary precautions and being smart about safety, online dating can be exciting. After all, Mr. or Mrs. Right could be just a click away.
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