<p>The mega-giant dating site eHarmony reports that nearly 15,000 people take its online questionnaire each day. With the rise in technology and the lowering of face-to-face meeting opportunities, it stands to reason that thousands of adults are turning to online dating. For some people, finding a new relationship is not without risk; for others, online dating can be incredibly rewarding. The question for you, then, is whether the rewards outweigh the risks.</p>
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<h2>1.Similar Interests</h2>
<p>One of the biggest benefits of online dating, without a doubt, is the ability to meet, almost instantly, someone with the same interests. Meeting someone in aisle seven of the grocery store simply does not afford the same opportunity. When you take the time to fill out an online questionnaire, you can &#8220;window shop&#8221; for someone who likes the same things that you do, taking much of the stress out of the first face-to-face meeting.</p>
<h2>2.Lack of Chemistry</h2>
<p><img class="alignright" alt="couple at nargile lounge" src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1048/1300092819_ce1c589b90_m.jpg" width="240" height="192" align="right" />There&#8217;s no denying that if a spark isn&#8217;t there, even the best-laid foundations won&#8217;t keep a relationship humming along. Many people have been made horribly aware of this fact only after spending months conversing in an online environment only to find out that special something wasn&#8217;t present when meeting their flame in person. For people who rely heavily on chemistry and gut-instinct, online dating can be a time waster.</p>
<h2>3.Honesty</h2>
<p>It&#8217;s interesting how well online daters get to know each other. Even though you plan to eventually meet, people still tend to be more open and honest in written communication than they do when speaking directly to one another. People in the virtual world feel a sense of anonymity and safety that those meeting personally don&#8217;t have. This boost in honesty allows people to get to know each other on a deeper level sooner.</p>
<h2>4.What You See Isn&#8217;t What You Get</h2>
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<p>No matter how stringent online dating sites attempt to be, these sites are created under the assumption that people will conduct themselves with integrity. Unfortunately, it happens with regularity: People post photos of themselves when they were thinner, younger, or otherwise more attractive. As time goes on, it becomes more difficult to share the truth. When people finally meet for the first time, the harsh reality of photo shopping can hit home.</p>
<h2>5.No Commitment</h2>
<p>Have you ever had that awkward first date where you spend your time hoping against hope that your best friend will call you with a life-threatening emergency? It can be difficult to break out of a first date that is going terribly wrong, especially if you are a too-nice person. It&#8217;s far easier for most people to break off an online relationship. Once you decide it&#8217;s not going to work out, you can easily block an email address or change your own.</p>
<p>Online dating is a reality in today&#8217;s world. While many people find the experience enriching, others find it to be the worst move that they&#8217;ve made. It&#8217;s up to you to decide if you&#8217;re willing to risk a bad experience in the hope of finding your soul mate in the virtual realm.</p>
<p>Christopher Shanks recently published a series of articles about online dating pros and cons. He suggests using freebackgroundcheck.org or even free people search .org before accepting a date with a stranger.</p>

Online Dating: Risky For Some, Rewarding For Others
