Myths and Falsehoods About Online Dating

1. Online dating is for computer nerds.

Guess again. Many people use online dating to meet friends and expand their social circles. Gone are the days when church socials, skating parties, and sleigh rides provided ample opportunities to get to know others. In our modern world, we've become somewhat isolated.

Online dating services attract people who are sick of hanging out at the bar night after night, hoping to meet someone new. They provide an easy, efficient way to match up with someone who has similar ideas and interests. There are no guarantees -- but then, who says that guy throwing up in the corner is such a catch, either?

2. Online dating isn't safe.

This one actually has an element of truth to it. Online dating is just as safe as meeting someone anywhere else. Still, you have to take precautions. Use your common sense: meet strangers in public places, don't give out personal information until you're sure you trust the other person, and don't assume everyone has good intentions. Keep in mind, though, that these same rules apply to someone you meet at the movies, the pub, or the shopping mall. No matter where you meet, it pays to be careful.

3. Everyone on the computer is pretending to be someone else.

It's true: every now and then, you get some idiot posting a picture of a movie star in place of their own. But by and large, everyone knows that isn't going to play out in the long run. Besides, you can usually identify these people pretty quickly. If they lie about their appearance, their online dating profile is bound to radiate falsehoods. If the girl is a former Miss America who pulls in six figures a year and loves to watch wrestling, you might want to pause and ask yourself if she's too good to be true!

4. There's a man luring women to their deaths through online dating sites.

This one pops up every few years, and once again, it's making the rounds (especially on Facebook). This myth comes from an urban legend about a guy who really did lure a few women to his home for (consensual) violent activities. Some of the women didn't make it out alive. This man is in jail, though; where he certainly isn't allowed time off to troll online dating sites for more victims. And he's been there for well over a decade.

Be smart and be safe but don't be afraid to give online dating a try. You never know what you might find!