Some of the most popular dating sites include but they are not limited to Match.com, eHarmony, and PositiveSingles.com (Gackenbach, 2007)
" However, as the author further points out, not everybody is happy with the increasing popularity of online dating. For instance, there are those who are concerned that this new trend in relation to dating will lead to "the demise of face-to-face interactions, widespread loneliness and alienation, and millions being lured into dangerous liaisons by unscrupulous people" (Hammer, 2009, p
Indeed, thanks to online dating, individuals can now "vet" their prospective partners more vigorously before investing emotionally in a relationship. Online dating sites are also improving their ability to correctly match individuals (Joinson, 2007)
Dissenting Views In an attempt to present a balanced argument in support of online dating, it would be prudent to also highlight some of the arguments that have been presented in the past against the same. To begin with, there are those who are concerned that when it comes to online dating, it is not easy to tell whether the information people give about themselves is truthful and accurate (Paludi, 2012)
This environment has been taken advantage of, however, by many seeking online relationships. In fact, misrepresentations including age, marital status and appearance have led to some sites running background checks on their users (Lee, 2004)
Online dating also allows unsocial users to build a relationship with another person prior to ever physically meeting them. It is well established that acceptance by others rests on the need for proper reading and reacting to social cues (Lehman, 2011)
Just run a quick search and see what comes up." (Scheff, 2013, p