In an era where romantic relationships are becoming increasingly intertwined with technology, it’s no surprise that dating, too, has taken a virtual turn. Dating has now evolved into swiping right or engaging in video calls. Dating in a virtual world might seem challenging at first, but with the right approach, it can be just as fulfilling as traditional dating. Online dating uses three fundamental approaches such as access, communication, and match-making algorithms (Finkel et al., 2012).
Online dating often uses dating sites to seek out and form potential romantic connections and relationships (Finkel et al., 2012). Dating sites are defined as websites or apps that focus on the provision of opportunities to form new romantic relationships that have the potential to become a relationship or long-term committed relationship (Finkel et al., 2012). In present times online dating offers a widespread method for singles who are looking to meet potential partners (Finkel et al., 2012).
Step 1: Seek out more information on dating apps and sites. Find an online dating site suited to your needs. There are many different dating sites to explore. Some of the most popular dating sigtes/apps in South Africa are:
Some of the sites may have connotations, however, most apps have the functionality to include a bio where you can state the type of relationships that you are looking for.
Step 2: Register for one or more dating apps that are most applicable to you.
Step 3: Create a profile on all the dating sites, remember to include relevant information, however, keep the information vague in terms of personal information.
NEVER make the following information publicly available on a dating app:
Step 4: Browse your options.
Step 5: Initiate contact through dating sites & see if there is potential for a long-term connection with the person you’ve met.
Step 8: Once you are ready and there is a mutual connection, aim to meet face-to-face in a public area. It is important to be safe when meeting in real life, take a trusted friend, family member, or peer if you are hesitant and always start somewhere busy with accessible help if needed.
Step 9: Develop an offline relationship if both of you are interested in pursuing the relationship further.
To take the pressure off of thinking up talking topics, you can use a random question generator. Simply queue up the tool, click to shuffle questions, and then take turns responding to the prompt.
Simply choose a film or TV show to watch, and then stream the title together. Disney+ has a group watch feature, and you can install a browser extension like Teleparty to watch Netflix or a similar streaming service together. You can comment on the movie in the chat react via emoji or pull up a Zoom or FaceTime call on another screen.
We recommend each partner pick two categories and choose a fifth category both know about. Then, write questions and quiz each other. This activity helps you learn more about each other’s interests, areas of expertise, and topics you are passionate about.
Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. W., Karney, B. R., Reis, H. T., & Sprecher, S. (2012). Online dating: A critical analysis from the perspective of psychological science. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 13(1), 3–66. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23484637
Jean, S. (2023, February 10). How to write a dating profile. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2021/online-dating-profile-tips.html
Robinson, A. (2021, May 18). 41 fun virtual date night ideas for quarantine in 2023. Teambuilding.com. https://teambuilding.com/blog/virtual-date-ideas
Zarrabi, R. (2022, May 3). 12 tips for online dating success. Www.psychologytoday.com. https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/mindful-dating/202205/12-tips-online-dating-success
Disclaimer: All articles are reviewed and edited for quality control by a HPCSA Registered Counsellor. However, this content is intended to be used for educational and/or entertainment purposes and should not be taken as medical advice. Please reach out to a medical professional if you have concerns regarding your mental health.
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