Online Dating: Couples Created in Cyberspace

 Posted on July 24, 2013 in Main

More people are clicking their way to romance, and a recent survey finds public perception is starting to favor online love connections. A recent article in USA Today reports that more than one third of recent newlyweds met online. The survey, published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), questioned 19,131 participants who were married between 2005 and 2012.

The lead author of the study, John Cacioppo, a University of Chicago psychology professor, is also an advisor to eHarmony, a prominent online dating website. Although the study has some opposition, it is undeniable that the number of people connecting through online dating sites and social media is increasing.

Evidence of the rise in online dating is reflected in Illinois laws. The Internet Dating Safety Act outlines requirements for Internet-based dating services offered to Illinois residents and advocates individual responsibility and safety when using online services.

According to Illinois laws, such dating services must disclose the use or absence safety measures, such as background checks to all participants. The following tips derived from Internet Dating Safety Act are applicable whether meeting someone online or through traditional methods.

Internet Dating Safety Tips:

1. Use caution when communicating with strangers who desire to meet you.
2. Do not provide contact information in initial communications with strangers.
3. Do not continue communication with anyone who pressures you to reveal personal or financial information.
4. Notify friends and loved ones about the time and place of the date if you decide to meet in person.
5. Do not agree to be picked up at your home; provide your own transportation and meet in a public place.

According to the study, marriages born from online relationships fared better than those connecting through traditional means, but more research is needed to gather data about long-term marital outcomes. Unfortunately, couples may find themselves contemplating divorce regardless of how they met. If you are married and need legal assistance for any family matter contact one of Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC's knowledgeable and dedicated attorneys for an Initial Attorney Meeting.

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