Computer Love: Pros and Cons of Online Dating

Is cyber searching for a mate the next step for you?

Computer Love - These days, online dating might as well just be called “dating.” Why? Because it is so common; studies show that at least 38% of people who identify as “single and looking” are using the Internet to connect. Here are the pros and cons of using the Web to find love. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Jupiterimages/Getty Images)

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Computer Love - These days, online dating might as well just be called “dating.” Why? Because it is so common; studies show that at least 38% of people who identify as “single and looking” are using the Internet to connect. Here are the pros and cons of using the Web to find love. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Jupiterimages/Getty Images)

PRO: There Are Sites for Everything - Seriously, no matter what type of mate you’re searching for, there is a site for that: Folks who love clowns, check. Unattractive folks, check. Dudes with money, check. Folks with good credit, check.  (Photo: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images)

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PRO: There Are Sites for Everything - Seriously, no matter what type of mate you’re searching for, there is a site for that: Folks who love clowns, check. Unattractive folks, check. Dudes with money, check. Folks with good credit, check.  (Photo: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images)

CON: You Have to Make a Profile - Talk about nerve racking. How can you summarize your life in just a couple hundred words? You have to give enough info to entice, but not so much that you lose all sense of mystery. And then there’s the photo; you want to be cute but not childish, sexy but not slutty, fun but not desperate. So hard. (Photo: Silke Woweries/Corbis)

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CON: You Have to Make a Profile - Talk about nerve racking. How can you summarize your life in just a couple hundred words? You have to give enough info to entice, but not so much that you lose all sense of mystery. And then there’s the photo; you want to be cute but not childish, sexy but not slutty, fun but not desperate. So hard. (Photo: Silke Woweries/Corbis)

You Aren't Studying Other Folks - You couldn’t care less if other people notice how cute you are, because you know he notices. (Photo: Hero Images/Hero Images/Corbis)

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PRO: You Can Cast a Wider Net - Going out is cool, but you’re probably running into the same people all the time. Looking online will help you meet more people in less time. (Photo: BananaStock/Getty Images)

Soak Up the Summer - It's already August, but summer isn't quite over yet! Use these last few weeks to soak up all the season has to offer. And we've got a few hot items to check off your bucket list here, so click on. By Jazmine A. Ortiz (Photo: Sonja Pacho/Corbis)

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CON: The Sea Is Vast - With so many choices, it can be overwhelming to narrow them down to a handful of people who are worth reaching out to. And studies show that when you have more choices, you tend to be less satisfied with your ultimate pick, because you could be left wondering, “What if?” (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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The Grass Isn’t Greener - You’re no longer looking around wondering if you’re missing out on something better. (Photo: Blue Images/Corbis)

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PRO: You Can Get Matchmaking Help - Many sites use algorithms that they promise will match you with your soul mate. This can take a lot of the guesswork out of narrowing the field. (Photo: Dean Mitchell/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Blue Images/Corbis

He Can Be Hard to Find - Emotionally unavailable folks can often be physically unavailable, too. He may pop up when it’s convenient for him, then disappear for a week with or without excuses. (Photo: GettyImages)

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CON: Digital Communication Is Tricky - Think about how hard it can be to gauge tone in a text message. That uncertainty can make early communication awkward, so it’s best to set a date to meet in person asap.  (Photo: Stephen Morris/Getty Images)

PRO: Screening Rocks - Whether it reveals that dude is too conservative for your tasteor is way too close to his mama, dating sites can give you enough info upfront to screen out folks who won’t be a good match. (Photo: MotoEd/Getty Images)

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PRO: Screening Rocks - Whether it reveals that dude is too conservative for your tasteor is way too close to his mama, dating sites can give you enough info upfront to screen out folks who won’t be a good match. (Photo: MotoEd/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: MotoEd/Getty Images

CON: People Lie - You might feel comfortable before your first date, but that can dissipate if the person you’ve been chatting with online isn’t the person you’re actually dating. Everyone wants to put their best foot forward. Unfortunately for some people, that means fudging the truth about things like age, weight and height. It happens so often that there’s an entire term—and TV show—for it: catfishing. You’ll never know who you’re dating until you meet face to face, so don’t delay. (Photo: Richard T. Nowitz/Corbis)

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CON: People Lie - You might feel comfortable before your first date, but that can dissipate if the person you’ve been chatting with online isn’t the person you’re actually dating. Everyone wants to put their best foot forward. Unfortunately for some people, that means fudging the truth about things like age, weight and height. It happens so often that there’s an entire term—and TV show—for it: catfishing. You’ll never know who you’re dating until you meet face to face, so don’t delay. (Photo: Richard T. Nowitz/Corbis)