Coming hand in hand with the technology boom is the modern, highly successful fad of online dating.
Studies show that out of the 54 million single people in the U.S., five million use an online dating service. Dating sites are growing day by day and the entire industry is worth approximately $4 billion worldwide.
For those unfamiliar to the online dating scene, users who join can enter information and post pictures of themselves for other singles to see. After subscribing, they then have the opportunity to scroll through other possible singles in their area, or any area for that matter, view pictures of potential mates, read the information provided about each person and then pick who they think would best suit them in a relationship according to the limited to extensive amount of information they’ve acquired.
Of course there is always the possibility that those who subscribe to dating sites aren’t telling the whole truth in the information and pictures they advertise. For example, a picture posted of a person could very well be a high school shot. If no one can monitor whether your information is accurate, then why not shave a few years off your age? Or shave a few pounds off your weight?
That’s the beautiful thing about online dating, the people you meet only see what you choose to let them see. They only see the person you project to them.
But how is it that 17% of couples who married last year, met on an online dating service? Could online dating be the way to go? Is it healthier and does it guarantee a more stable marriage? And if so, why?
According to a post written by Julie Spira, online strategist, author and relationship expert, eHarmony has launched a new dating site called Jazzed. The site aims not at serious long-term relationships like its parent company eHarmony, but more towards relationships for a younger age group that may not quite guarantee marriage, but instead a fun, entertaining courtship.
EHarmony allegedly launched Jazzed to compete with other social dating sites such as Zoosk and OKCupid.
The real question is, money matters aside, what’s all this hype about dating sites, and how come more and more keep cropping up? Jazzed is aimed at the young age group of eHarmony members, 18-34 years. Since when do 18-year-olds need an online dating service to find dates? Most. kids that age are still in high school.
Yet online dating remains successful and is growing by the day. And why not? Why spend two hours putting on make-up and shaving when you can have a conversation bare-faced in your PJ’s while sitting on your own couch? Why stress about your appearance when online dating offers an outlet?
Instead of appearance first - personality second, online dating allows you to portray your very best aspects only, which may or may not be your looks.
This could explain why the average courtship between online couples is only 18.5 months compared to nearly 42 months for offline couples. Dating sites cut to the chase, they eliminate the nervous face-to-face introduction, the do-they-like-me stage, the months of trial and error, personality discovery. All these features are laid out from the beginning, and users pick only the people they prefer.
Jazzed and other dating sites are specifically aimed at easy, instant, virtual dates. They work with other media outlets to create successful mobile dating, integrating social media options such as Facebook, Twitter and iPhone apps. Their huge success proves just what an impact this media age has on our personal lives.
*All online dating stats from Dating Sites Reviews
