Cause and Effect of the Social Networking Culture

In Ellen McCarthy’s Online dating has its pros and cons, meta-analysis says, discusses the positive and negative aspects of online dating social networks. The article states that social scientists find online dating a “crapshoot” and are often having mixed reviews. Some of the positive attributes of online dating are the giant selection of possible mates, the ability to meet people with similar interests, and gives the opportunity of finding love to people who have a sexual orientation other than heterosexuality. A lot of people are too busy with every day life such as workaholics, single parents, a new person in town, or even people who suffer from anxiety or social awkwardness, so they need these dating networks to find that special someone. One of the Pioneers of online dating is Match.com, which was founded in 1995. Though for the first few years of online dating was considered taboo, “by 2005, 37 percent of single, American Internet users had used online dating sites, according to the Pew Research Center. And of the U.S. couples who formed relationships between 2007 and 2009, 22 percent of them met online, one academic study found.” So where did this spike in online dating come from? Well one single man using a popular online dating network said “Where else can you go in a matter of 20 minutes, look at 200 women who are single and want to go on dates?” Many people lack the sexual confidence to approach a prospective mate in person, and the possible companion is often too bashful in a public setting when approached by the person. But when behind a computer screen and with plenty of possible partners to choose from, much of the pressure is uplifted. Though these networks have their perks, there is always a negative side. Not everything you read online is true, and many people lie in order to make themselves more attractive. Also the websites can be a nuisance with constant emails, ad can also become addictive. The article states that “the