The internet. A great invention. Opening the doors to hundreds of different worlds. Thousands of different sites. Millions of different people. We all here at JU use it to the best of our advantage. Having said that, the internet comes with its own stigma. You see you are a nameless, faceless person. It allows those of us that maybe are slightly socially retarded, something to hide behind. A chance to create something new for themselves. So the people using the internet either have to be hardcore geeks, or socially challenged weirdos. Now we know better, of course. This stigma is tough to shake though. Because these people do exist. The internet is a safe place for these people to be, living what they feel is some kind of normality. Accepted for who they are, rather than social status or physical appearance. There other elements though. More dangerous elements. People going after young children for example. In them cases the faceless medium isn't so good. These cases are getting fewer and fewer though, and the security is getting tighter, and as long as people are sensible the internet can be a fun and interesting place to be.
Now internet dating is becoming more and more popular. First seen for just these socially retarded people to hook up, more and more people are seeing the advantages of internet dating. They see the quick and easy way of finding people with simliar interests, testing the water online first. Then going out and meeting them people. As long as it's done in public open places, then it's no different to meeting a random person in a pub, and going on a date. They are just easier to find.
A friend of mine, and my Auntie have both registered to personals sites. They are both around their 30's and don't really go out alot. Dating for them has now become a hobby. I don't even think they do it to find their one true love. It's just about going out (or not as the case maybe) and socialising. They hav between them, met at least 20 guys through this, and they both really enjoy it. People have turned their noses up at this, and embraced the internet stereotype that it is full of freaks and weirdos. That is not the case, as they are finding out. Busy people, with busy lives are finally getting an outlet, and in my opinion, good for them!