Online dating service
According to recent UK Online Dating Statistics , 1 in 5 relationships in Great Britain now start online and with a study published by a leading matchmaking website suggesting that by that figure could well be 1 in 2 it is apparent that most of the stigma surrounding online dating has dissipated. We use technology in almost every other aspect of our lives, so why not harness the immensity of the World Wide Web when looking for love? What follows is a brief analysis of the dating landscape as its stands today and a rundown on the risks and rewards of putting yourself out there into cyberspace. There are essentially two ways of playing the online dating game, the more traditional dating websites or the newer school of swiping applications. Both have their advantages and pitfalls and cater to fundamentally different demographics, traditional, established websites favour a more in depth approach with detailed profiles and cross-referencing of common interests, they focus very much on the long game and as such the longer you sign on for, the cheaper your monthly cost. One of the main criticisms of these type of dating apps is that they tend to engineer more one night stands than meaningful relationships, that notwithstanding they could be a viable option if you are a very busy person with considerable time constraints. The Risks: As useful a tool as online dating is, and as safe as it often may seem, there is an element of risk involved with these apps and websites. Scamming — Often in the form of an odd financial request, the scammer will spend a few weeks talking to a target in order to gain their trust, then, seemingly out of the blue the victim will receive a request for financial aid due to some outlandish set of circumstances that has befallen their new friend. Whilst your heartstrings may have you reaching for your chequebook, think before you do, why are they asking you for money? Why would they not go to a family member or a friend first?