Using the Internet and Social Media as Dating Tools

Using the Internet and Social Media as Dating Tools

Posted by Demetri Raftopoulos for BounceBack.com

Dating is not easy. We all know that. If it were easy, people would be happily with someone all the time. Problems would not exist. Issues would not emerge. Dating is not easy because people get nervous, losing themselves in their own worries.


Did I say the right thing? Did I say the wrong thing? Did I sound like a complete idiot?


Instead of throwing yourself into the lion's den, there are other alternatives to break the ice, lay some ground work, and ease into that scary thing we call dating.

Here is a look at some alternatives.


Online Dating

If you have trouble meeting people or prefer to sit on the sidelines and watch other people interact, this is probably your best bet. Not everyone is good at going out and meeting people face to face. Not everyone can just walk up to a total stranger and start a conversation. Like I said above, it isn't easy. Online dating will allow you to get all the particulars out of the way while finding compatibility at the same time.

Related: Get a Reply! 5 Internet Dating Messages to Ensure a Response

If you're picky or really know what you want, whatever online dating web site you use will find you the most compatible candidates, taking your interests, hobbies, and lifestyles into consideration. There should be no reason why you aren't dating, especially if you are unhappy about it and especially with all these useful and efficient sites operating on the World Wide Web. Online dating does all the hard work for you. All you have to do is give it a shot.

Related: Seven Dating Messages Least Likely to Get a Reply


AIM/Gchat/Yahoo Messenger

Sometimes it is a lot easier to sit in front of a computer and get to know someone instead of doing it face to face. The nerves are pushed away. The anxiety is quieted down. Being face to face with someone can be a huge burden for someone to bear and it could provide someone with a lot of discomfort, especially in the beginning stages of a relationship or of meeting someone. Instant messengers will not only provide you with a means of communication but a means of comfortable communication. Just like meeting people, talking may not be a strong suit of an individual.

Like online dating, these instant messengers can easily break the ice and aid in the effort of getting to know someone on a more personal level. The conversations that can occur can ease the tension, facilitate the situation and make a face-to-face meeting a lot more bearable and easy going. Eventually you will need to be able to communicate with the person you care about face-to-face and away from a computer but any instant messenger is a great stepping stone to build confidence, stability, and comfort.


Facebook/Other Social Networks

Social networks are a great tool to help share areas of interest like music, pictures and videos with your crush or with someone you just met. Sharing things that make you passionate or just areas of interest in general can be a great way to bond with the opposite sex. It will spark conversation and give you material for a face-to-face meeting. There is nothing worse than awkward silences so if social networks like Facebook will help keep those awkward silences at bay then why not use them to your advantage.

Facebook is also a great way to flirt, virtually of course. Like talking in general, flirting may not be an easy thing to come by for a person but it is definitely a lot easier to tease or joke around with someone via a wall post as opposed to if they were right in front of you. Post a funny picture on someone's wall. Share a favorite song. Make someone laugh with a video.

Let's start using this wonderful technology to our advantage. I'm not imploring you to become completely dependent on it but don't be afraid to take chances in other ways. You get nervous meeting people? Big deal. You get nervous talking to people? Big deal.

Use the web - Stop stumbling on your words.

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You can read other articles from Demetri at http://en.gravatar.com/demetri18#pic-1