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Like everything else in today’s society, the dating scene is online.
In a world where instant messaging and e-mails are replacing face-to-face and phone conversations, online dating is becoming less of a desperate attempt for love and more of a matchmaking friend.
“People that actually join online dating services are serious about finding someone with similar interests because it takes time and effort finding people and talking with them before actually meeting,” said junior Nicole Merkel.
However, Merkel doesn’t think the services are necessary for UW-Oshkosh students.
“Online dating could be a good idea for some people; on college campuses, if you try at all, you can meet people,” she said.
Dating services such as Match.com and eHarmony offer a variety of ways for people to meet. Most sites allow users to set up a profile, post a photo, search existing profiles and see who has viewed their profiles for free. However, only paid subscribers are allowed to send and receive messages. Fees for such sites range from $10-50 per month.
Senior Josh Gliniecki thinks online dating is not necessary and a last resort for college students.
“People should step away from their computer and actually go out to meet people,” he said.
Safety is also an important issue.
“I would never use an online dating service because I am afraid of meeting freaks,” said senior Sarah Yuhas. “It is so easy to fabricate personal information or post a fake picture. College students have many opportunities to meet people in person through class, friends and activities instead of through online dating.”
Joe Abhold, director of the University Counseling Center, said that when people use online environments for dating or meeting new people, others could take advantage of them.
If people contact you but you wish not to interact with them, it is best to tell them directly, he said. If they continue to contact you, users can block profiles and report the harassment to the sites.
According to onlinedatingmagazine.com, there are several things that can be done to be safe when meeting someone through online dating:
• Never give out your address or have your date pick you up from home. Meet in a public place so others will be nearby.
• Alcohol can lessen your inhibitions and your judgment. Try not to drink on a date, but if you do, keep your drink in sight.
• When on a first date, don’t guess that someone is harmless. If you’ve never met him or her before and you feel uncomfortable, you should leave right away.
Abhold said that, when meeting face-to-face, you should always meet in a public place with other people present.
“Pay attention to how the person responds to your ideas and preferences for where to go. If the person is doing or saying things that make you uncomfortable, then take this as a red flag to leave,” he said.
Be sure someone knows where you are going and whom you'll be with. You might even consider arranging a time to call and check in, or you could arrange to meet up with friends later that night. Even if you’re having a blast and the chemistry is great, it’s a good idea to remain alert the whole evening. Make sure you have a cell phone on you.
“Online dating is going to make dating less personal in the future,” said senior Garrett Quandt. “Meeting someone online takes away from the first impressions because you go into the relationship with a knowledge base.”
Quandt said these tips are also important for traditional dating because people can still misrepresent themselves.
By Emily Bultman
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