Why you should avoid online dating

Digital technology, especially smart devices, have transformed many aspects of our society, including how people meet each other and establish relationships — romantic or otherwise. Attitudes towards dating apps and services have grown progressively more positive in recent years. People are now not only turning to their devices to work, shop, and play, but to manage their personal lives and relationships too. Online dating is becoming more popular. Are online daters giving away too much about themselves?

Many people have taken solace in using online applications to meet their partners. There have been different arguments on the safety of using dating applications, while some believe it is safe, others believe it is not advisable. Getting rejected on a dating app repeatedly can reduce your self-confidence and prevent you from making efforts to go out for real dates outside using the app. You can get addicted to the use of online dating applications and this will make you get used to shallow conversations and validation. It is not everyone on the applications wants to date, some are there to kidnap, kill or even rape. It is difficult to ascertain what someone you cannot see wants even if they assure you they are up to something good.

I first created an OKCupid account in , and for nearly five years, online dating and I had a tumultuous, on-and-off relationship. Then, in December of , I decided I would take a break from online dating—and that unlike my previous "breaks," this one would last for more than a few weeks. It's actually ended up lasting a year because after seven months, I met someone—and it was IRL.

I love giving advice to others about dating and offing insight into the cons of online dating. Pick up any book on relationships and you can bet it will have a section on online dating, whether it was written by Dr. Phil or the neighbour next door. This chapter on online dating is usually included to give people another avenue to pursue if they're failing to get a date the old fashioned way.