Upsides and Downsides of Searching for a Partner Online
I've been single for quite a long time following a 9-year relationship together. I consider myself a decent match, but I can't seem to meet anyone worth the effort. I thought that with dating apps I could find a partner, but it's been extremely challenging for me. I'm somewhat tired. Any advice? (Chatroulette)
Traditional romance is disappearing. Since the advent of the Internet, the ways of flirting and finding a partner have changed. It started with traditional chats and contact pages, but in recent times, mobile applications have gained popularity and widespread use.
These days, when a friend says they've met someone at the gym, in a bar, or at work, it's considered something unusual.
Technological advancement has brought dating to the online world, with the most common method being through apps. In recent years, a myriad of applications designed and intended for meeting people have emerged. They have been successful thanks to the fact that with a single click, you have the opportunity to connect with numerous individuals, offering ease and immediacy.
However, are dating apps really as fabulous as they seem and do they offer so many benefits? As with everything in this world, they have their advantages and disadvantages. The key is to recognize them and know how to use them to our advantage.
We could make an endless list of pros and cons, but we will focus on the most common ones.
Advantages:
- Convenience: As mentioned earlier, a point in favor of online flirting is the convenience of accessing an app from the couch and finding numerous options. Having many people on a screen who are interested in meeting someone.
- New opportunities: The online world connects you with people whom you would never meet otherwise. It brings you closer to individuals who may be far away or not in your immediate vicinity but whom you had never considered talking to. It opens up endless opportunities for you.
- Overcome shyness: The internet is great for those who are more introverted or shy, with insecurities in social interaction. It allows you to meet people without going through that initial face-to-face contact, that first eye contact. Thus, we avoid the initial impression of possible rejection and, therefore, have a greater sense of security. (Click here)
- Test intentions: Before proposing a meeting or starting a conversation to get to know each other, we can ask the appropriate questions to determine if the person has similar goals and meets the essential requirements to continue getting to know them. We can create a filter to reduce the likelihood of disappointment or unmet expectations.
Disadvantages:
- Deception: Through a screen, we have the opportunity to deceive, to present a false image, to show something that we are not, and to play with the other person's feelings. This can lead to disappointment, frustration, etc.
- Little connection: Having so many options available can make us want to maximize our time and talk to many people simultaneously. This may mean that the potential bond necessary to connect is not fostered, or that we don't feel committed because we feel the other person is not fully focused on us. This can lead to more speed dating in search of that "perfection" rather than the potential feeling and connection with someone.
- Assumptions: While chatting with someone, there are aspects that we cannot assess until we have a face-to-face meeting. We often imagine these aspects as we prefer, filling in the information we lack with what we desire, creating idealized scenarios, which can work against us when the time for the meeting arrives, causing disappointment.
- Ghosting: A risk we face when meeting someone online is that over time, the person may not show signs of interest or may suddenly disappear without explanation, leaving us with a lot of anxiety and questions.
Like everything, online dating has its positive and negative aspects. The important thing is to make the most of it, be cautious, and not create misleading illusions.
