Reasons to start online dating

The search for love in the digital age tends to stir up a lot of anxiety. If you've ever heard stories from your friends about their bad dates, you might reasonably approach dating apps with caution. But just as online dating can foster some comically bad experiences, there are plenty of benefits as well. Many of us know couples who seem so perfectly matched that it's almost impossible to believe they met on opposite sides of a screen. When it comes down to it, does online dating actually work? While you might be worried it's not a good idea or even a waste of time , like all matters in love, it has its pros and cons.

In the U. The number of users keeps increasing, so do the dating sites. Worldwide there are over online dating sites. But, what are the benefits of online dating? Why has it garnered so much fame? This year, online dating is going mainstream , especially with the pandemic still looming.

Reis studies social interactions and the factors that influence the quantity and closeness of our relationships. He coauthored a review article that analyzed how psychology can explain some of the online dating dynamics. You may have read a short profile or you may have had fairly extensive conversations via text or email.

Martin Graff does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. For the last two-plus years, people hoping to meet their soulmate in person have had a rough time. Lockdowns and uncertainty about social gatherings have led many people to turn to dating apps.