ONLINE DATING: The Good and the Ugly

Peter Petrzala

Questions

• Why is online dating becoming less of a taboo than it was before? Why is it becoming more socially acceptable?

• What are the pros and cons of online dating?• Do you think it’s actually effective?

What am I talking about?

• Some facts• The good• The ugly• Anonymity• Personal information

Some facts

• Exponential increase in usage– 2003: 29 million used a service– 2010: 20 million a month

• Success– 94% met more than once– 14% lasted over 1 year– 8% lasted over 2 years

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOz1xqPJvIk

Have you used online dating?

DON’T LIE! …just kidding

The good

• It works for a lot of people.• Personal matching (weeding out)• Sites out there for every type of person• Free?

The Ugly

• Some cost MONEY!• Scams• Information• Hookups

Anonymous

• Self-presentation– Research suggests that pressures to highlight one's positive attributes are

experienced in tandem with the need to present one's true (or authentic) self to others, especially in significant relationships.

– Use to pursue a relationship

• Control– Various aspects of self/credibility– Gap in the research

Personal Information

• Types of information people put• People want to match online with their offline

selves• People claim they are truthful in their profiles

– Style of dating sites discourage lying– People lie regardless: another gap in the research

Conclusion

• Dating websites work for some people.• Be cautious.

• In conclusion…

WEAR PROTECTION.