Let’s face it… we have all seen the commercials, heard the advertisements on the radio, and been repeatedly bombarded with news of successful matches. We have heard the jokes, witnessed the criticisms against those who choose to partake, and heard the horror stories of utter disappointment. Yes, I’m talking about the world of online dating— a phenomenon that has rapidly taken the world by storm and captivated those looking for a romantic experience unlike anything known to generations past.
Although the Internet appears to have simplified the processes of many facets of life, it comes into question whether the Internet has additionally done so for the purposes of establishing intimate relationships. I’m sure many of you are taking a moment to ask, “So what? Why would the Internet matter? After all, relationships have always been messy and complicated.” There is no doubt these critiques are valid. Yet, there is also no question the Internet has encroached on the lives of innumerable individuals within the modern world. In taking this notion into consideration, I feel it is essential to investigate what such a pervasive trend means for the future of relationships and, in a more general sense, society’s social development. For this reason, I chose to delve into the topic of online dating for my final research project. I ventured into this journey with hopes of discovering how age, gender, and frequency of Internet use affect individuals’ receptivity and overall perceptions of online dating, and additionally sought to discover information pertaining to individuals’ desires and concerns for their online dating experience. It is my sincerest hope that readers will share this journey of discovery with me, and will take some time to reflect on their own personal preferences regarding the Internet, while remembering to additionally consider the perceptions of others. In doing so, I challenge you to decide for yourself if love may truly be just a click away.