Can online relationships hinder or develop our ability to form social relationships/ interactions with others?

Contents Development of Online Dating – Alan Popular dating websites - Vicky Advantages of online dating – Vicky Disadvantages of online dating – Kaine Crimes associated with online dating - Alan

Evolution of On-Line Dating Post War –Early Use of Personal Ads –Commercial Dating Agencies Established 1960s –IT first used in dating - Computer Dating 1980s –Video Dating –Phone Dating 1990s –Dating introduced to Internet 2000s –On-line communities(e.g. Bebo) ?

Most popular sites

Advantages of online dating Positive filtering Allows people to meet others with similar interests etc. Photos and videos allow for more information and impressions about other users Matrimonial websites - top two matrimony sites in India Shy people empowered Meet people you wouldn't otherwise

L O V E O N L I N E : A R E P O R T O N D I G I T A L D A T I N G I N C A N A D A More advantages Less time Less stress Less expensive Easier to end a relationship online Offers privacy and confidentiality More certain way of meeting people that want to meet you More convenient than other ways of trying to meet people.

Showing that dating can help people develop interactions with others 67% of the time on the internet.

Disadvantages of online dating

Fantasy Vs. Reality Speed of online relationship tends to create disproportionate level of perceived intimacy. online dating is a difficult medium to tactfully set and interpret the boundaries of either parties. it is easy to become immersed in a situation where the line between fantasy and actuality becomes distorted. The medium has a tendency t encourage fantastic expectations and accelerate beyond tolerance levels.

Dishonesty users tend to make up stories about themselves. Some dating sites are also caught in the fib of dishonesty.

Chemistry Online dating does not reveal the chemistry between two people. Lacks the sensation of touch between the two parties. Does not involve in-person contact which is necessary for association.

Profiles –The use of the logical to control the illogical (attraction and compatibility) could eliminate a seekers soul mate a step one.

Safety –Risk of being exposed to offensive or obscene materials on dating site –Dangers of providing personal information that may be used to harass and harm.

Online Dating Crime and Morality

Online dating Crimes Crime against the Person –causing harm by injury or threat of injury Crimes of Dishonesty –acts that wilfully attempt to damage the right of ownership Crimes against Public Order and Morality –acts which harm the moral fibre of society

Crimes against the Person Example of Murder –Raymond Merrill (56 year old), California –met Brazilian Regina (41) on-line –Merrill visited Regina in Brazil (March 2006) –Kidnapped and Drugged –$200,000 stolen from Merrill –September 2006, murder confirmed –Regina charged with murder Oct 2006 [News of the World 03/12/2006]

Crimes against the Person Rape –first half 2002, 23 Rapes reported (Japan) –Rape by deception? William Fraser (1847) Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 1976 Consent now required as defence to rape Assault –No example found from online dating, first Web rage conviction November 2006

Crimes of Dishonesty Fraud, size of the problem –Nigerias 5th largest export ? –2004: > 200,000 Nigerian Fraud Cases Fraud, the scam –Jeff Peters and Andy Takers - rich widow scam –Nigerian 419 Scam –now adapted to on-line dating

Crimes against Public Order and Morality Indecent / Shameless Behaviour –distribution of indecent material e.g. Prostitution –soliciting sex on dating sites difficult to prove, use of discreet language –child prostitution 400 cases reported in Japan in 6 month (2002)

Changes in Moral Standards Varying acceptance of what is morally –Law –Religion Marriage –increasing divorce rates Sexual Behaviour –Homosexuality (discreet meetings) –Sex-seeking sites