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Do NOT quote the first post, since it's long. Unless you're gonna divide it up and comment on each paragraph, that's okay.

Now, onto the topic.

Internet dating. Some people think it's stupid, others think it's okay. Here's my opinion on internet dating.

Internet dating is for ugly people.
I would like to know where you got this from? And believe me, I've heard this before. I just think this comment is dumb, and has practically nothing to do with dating online. Sure, some people might be ugly and some people might not be. People who date offline can be ugly/pretty too.

It's for people who can't "get any" in real life.
Just because you have a boyfriend/girlfriend online doesn't mean that you can't get any in real life. I don't think most people who date online cyber. They might, and there's nothing wrong with cybering. It's none of your business if they do it anyway. A loving relationship wouldn't be based off of sex anyway. (Not saying that sex is bad or anything.)

You need a REAL boyfriend!
Are you saying that people online aren't "real"? That's... pathetic. Online or offline, we're still people and we have feelings.

What if they're a 40 year old perv?!
And that is where the webcam comes in. There's also something called "trust". Some people might not have webcams, but that's their choice to take a chance or not.

It's just dumb!
How is it dumb? What if the couple is really serious about it? And they plan on seeing eachother as soon as they can? If they see eachother offline, then it turns into a long distance relationship. Even if they see eachother once a year, it'll still be long distance.

All you have to be is pacient, trusting, and communication is the key to every relationship.

NOTE: I don't want stupid answers. Seriously.

Give me good reasons why internet dating is wrong or something. Nothing like "for the love of god! itz ONLINE11!" I'll ignore comments like those. And please, have good grammar.

And another thing, internet dating is not for everyone. Some people like to cuddle, and you just can't do that online. I understand that it didn't work out for you, but just because it didn't work for you, doesn't mean that it won't work out for others.

Discuss.

EDIT: I'm well aware of the fact that dating online is not 100% safe. Cause it's not. But it's the person's fault if they take a risk to be in one.

If you have doubts about a person, don't talk to them.

If your relationship is only going to stay online, then it's stupid. It's not a good relationship without some physical contact. You have to take it offline if you want it to go farther. Don't expect that it'll stay online, cause it won't.

EDIT #2: An internet relationship will most likely not stay on the internet and will go offline at sometime.

Something that might happen:

1. Meet online, become friends, date, whatever else they wanna do.
2. Get to know eachother online.
3. Meet offline, with a group of people if they want to. But is highly recomended.
4. At this point it becomes LONG DISTANCE. Not an online relationship, because now you've met and you will (most likely) meet in the future.
5. Can move in with eachother, get married, other stuff that progresses a healthy relationship... get the idea?

Please don't talk about your love stories, this is a debate thread and while all that love is nice and sweet, this isn't the place to do it.

Go here to share:

12 year olds dating if just iffy.

Online OR offline. If they expect to be in love with the same person forever, they're just... eh.

Internet dating isn't for me because I just don't feel closeness to people on the intarweb. I don't mind especially if other people want to have online relationships. It doesn't really matter to me where you find your boyfriend/girlfriend. It just isn't for me. *shrug*

The only opinion I have is that minors should have parental consent, due to risks involved. Minors should have parental consent for real dating too, though. Its not like I'm even setting a double standard.

I've done it a couple of times and both times lasted for quite a while, the longest being about two or three months I believe. But they can be really depressing, especially if you've had a gf/bf in person beforehand.

A lot of people involved with online dating are around 12 to 16-17 and have no means of meeting the person their dating, which can make things incredibly difficult. Muse on about communication all you want, but physical contact, whether from sex or a simple hug or kiss on the cheek is just as important to maintain a relationship.

There's also the matter of internet crazies, who get attatched the moment you even begin talking to them. I've had one girl claim she was in love with me not 20 minutes after the start of the conversation!

Call me jaded if you wish, but after my experiences with online dating, and especially now that I have a gf I've been with for about 7-8 months and going strong, I'll never go back to it.

I guess if you use internet dating sites, that's how things might be?

But some people don't use sites like those, they might meet in a chatroom, forum, or something else.

If someone said that they were in love with me like that. I'd just block them. That's not even funny. >.>;;

About the physical contact, if you're patient enough to wait and see them, things might turn out great.

But if you just can't take it, and NEED physical contact then internet dating isn't for you.

And by the way, 12 year olds don't know what "love" is.

I think online dating all depends on circumstance, because to every rule there is an exception. But I think it can definitely work- it has for some people, and just cause it hasn't for other doesn't mean it fails.

As for 12 year olds doing it.....again, exceptions to the rules. Most 12 year olds might think they're in love and not be, but I have a friend who had her first 'boyfriend' at like 8 or 9 years old and they really did like each other- she still has feelings for him today, and she's almost 17. So while most 12 year olds are more in love with the idea of being in love, there's always that rare story that defies the generally accepted rules.

I think dating is more about the connection than the way in which you connect, and if it's online and you like it that way, kudos.