Dating sites: a good idea or a bad idea?

Today, dating sites are a form of meeting true love. These sites are becoming more numerous in recent years, they are all different and each have their specificity. Dating sites are easy to access, thanks to free or paid app downloads on mobile phones.

Worldwide, more than 1.5 million daily users are using social networks.

- 28% of 18-25-year-olds are on a dating site in France.

On the one hand, some people think that dating sites are positive entertainment because they make it easier to meet people. They are not necessarily reserved only for dating. These sites are also a way to meet potential friends. They are efficient and easy to use. Everyone can find their date, it is an option of attendance that allows expanding the social circle of a person.

Dating sites can bring comfort to people who are not comfortable with the idea of meeting and meeting new people directly.

However, online meetings are sometimes not the best means of communication for those who lack self-confidence. Most dating sites use profile photos of users so that other users choose the person they want to meet. In general, the person is chosen through the ideal physical criterion of the user. Users are judged by others based on rapid evaluations. So for some, this rapid approach to dating can have a positive impact on self-esteem while others may feel discouraged.

That is why some sites today are based only on mental criteria, that is to say, for example, leisure, hobbies of people.

There are many different types of dating sites. Some are safer than others and each one is adapted to different people. A site like “Adopt a Guy” honours women and removes the stereotype that it is men who use this kind of platform to have multiple conquests.

The various opinions on dating sites also depend on the education and age of each. Today, young people are the most interested in this kind of meeting platform, but also homosexual people.

- 12% say they are married or have a stable relationship with someone they first met through a dating app.

However, dating sites are not seen as safe for some users. Many people don’t like this format, even think it is very dangerous because it favours superficial rather than meaningful relationships.

During the development of these sites, various concerns were found to be real such as scams or harassment.

However, dating sites are not seen as safe for some users. Many people don’t like this format, even think it is very dangerous because it favours superficial rather than meaningful relationships.

During the development of these sites, various concerns were found to be real such as scams or harassment.

Thanks to numerous interviews and confessions of users, cyberbullying has appeared on dating sites. Harassment can be both moral and physical. People can be threatened verbally by message but also can receive threats of violation. Images can be sent without consent.

- 42% of women using dating sites or apps have already been contacted in a way that made them feel “uncomfortable or harassed”. 17% for male users.

Women are more affected than men on dating sites. On the other hand, depending on sexual orientation, there is more or less harassment. Homosexuals receive far more threatening messages or sexually explicit images than they have ever asked for.

According to Laure Salmona, dating sites dedicated to purely sexual encounters would motivate cyberstalkers. They do not hesitate to send naked photos that are not desired by other users. However, sending photos of intimate parties without consent can result in an exposure.

For example, since the creation of the Tinder application, which is one of the most used dating sites, the Tindstagramming has appeared. That is to say, after the harassment on the site itself, it spills over onto other social networks such as Instagram for example. Stalkers have the person stalked or harassed on Tinder on other social networks. Tinder can be linked to his Instagram account so other users can visit the profile of each user.

Finally, we can conclude that dating sites can be a way to develop new knowledge in a different setting. Some apps are fun and fun to use. Nevertheless, we must be wary of certain sites and of certain users who can be dangerous. Many cases today, such as paedophiles or narcissistic perverts who use dating sites to reach their victims.