Dating in the 21st Century source: modified 2004 I

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Dating in the 21st Centurysource
modified 2004 IS student presentation
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Predecessors

• Internet Groups
• Chat Rooms
• Message Boards
• Instant Messaging
• E-Mail

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Internet Groups

• The major predecessor to online dating and
  relationship building came in the form of groups,
  such as soc.singles. The purpose of these
  groups, and soc.singles in particular, is to
  bring people with common interests together to
  discuss what is going on in their lives as
  pertaining to their common interest. The
  popularity of such groups spawned a demand for
  online relationship building sites.
• Examples Google Groups

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Chat Rooms

• Chat rooms are similar to groups like
  soc.singles, but offer a more specific range of
  interests to choose from. Once in a chat room,
  you can communicate with people and exchange
  information with those who share something in
  common with you.
• Examples Yahoo! Chat, AOL Chat Rooms, Privately
  formed rooms.

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Message Boards

• Message boards are a slightly less personal form
  of online relationship building. Again designed
  around common interests, you can interact with
  people by posting and replying to messages.
  Discussion is not in real-time and is often much
  more focused on specific topics.
• Examples ESPN SportsNation, Funmac Forums,

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Instant Messaging

• Instant messaging invented a new way to
  communicate with people in an online environment.
  Now people could chat one on one and exchange
  information in a more private setting. Many
  online dating sites offer private messaging as a
  way to facilitate relationship building among
  members. Most instant messaging utilities also
  offer a means for joining or creating those
  services that came earlier like chat rooms and
  message boards.
• Examples AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo!
  Messenger, MSN Messenger, ICQ, IRC, etc.

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Pop Culture Invasion

• Online dating has made its way to mainstream
  popular culture. With movies such as Youve Got
  Mail paving the way, the mentality of online
  dating has been transformed into TV shows like
  Blind Date, Fifth Wheel, and Elimidate.
  The advent of online dating as an acceptable
  relationship building tool has clearly had a
  profound influence on society.

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Online Dating Services

• Match.com
• Friendfinder.com
• Eharmony.com
• Yahoopersonals.com
• Lavalife.com
• Average monthly price about 25

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Specific Dating Groups

• Religious (DharmaNet Buddhist)
• Political Views
• Geographic Location
• Ethnicity
• Divorced

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Serious Stuff

• Elaborate online questionnaires
• Scientific surveys and database searches on
  faces.
• Physical Attraction Test

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Demographics of Match.com

• 7000 users per month get dates
• 65000 users per month sign up (15 million users)
• 50 are between ages 18-34
• 57 Male, 43 Female
• 81 Graduated or Attend College

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Before You Date Online

• Remember that it can be dangerous.
• Remember that you do not know to whom you are
  speaking online.
• Remember that maintaining ones privacy is
  important.
• Use a throw-away email address.
• Do not give your phone number or home address to
  anyone you do not know.
• Remember to meet in a PUBLIC PLACE if you choose
  to meet in person.
• Bring someone with you.

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Internet Dating Downfalls

• False sense of security
• Shield of computer
• Too much information disclosure too soon
• Deceit
• Internet adultery fairly common problem
• http//www.detnews.com/2004/technology/0411/01/a01
  -321475.htm
• Lying about personal identity

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Internet Dating Benefits

• Availability of people with similar interests
• Opportunity to select potential friends or
  relationship interests
• Possibility of finding perfect match
• Opportunity to quickly build a relationship

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Whats next

• Cell Phone services (match mobile)
• Mapping your dates
• New demographics

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Discussion Questions

• Do you think that the benefits of online dating
  and online dating sites such as Match.com
  outweigh the risks?
• What kind of regulations if any, should be placed
  on Internet dating sites so as to lessen crime,
  deceit, etc?
• Where do you see the future of the online dating
  industry heading?

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Dating in the 21st Century