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Not so long ago, the idea of ‘meeting people online’ was a shameful practice. Those who did it were failures in the eyes of society. Older people and even millennials were openly against this form of contact. In fact, the general idea was that only desperate souls did it – people who were unable to connect in real life. According to them, these people failed in real life and so they tried it in the digital world.
Although it took a while, everyone realized that it was an absurd idea. Eventually, everyone started doing it and people increasingly preferred meeting online. In fact, research has shown that ‘meeting online’ is now by far the most popular way to meet people, especially if it has the goal of a romantic relationship.
With the proliferation of dating apps and social media, the number of people looking for friendship or love online has increased significantly in recent years. And while this is entirely in line with the technologies we have available today, it does represent a major shift from offline to online.
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Why meet people online?
What speaks in favor of ‘online’ is that it is a safe environment to get to know each other. With a minimal (emotional) investment it is already possible to make contact with someone else. The distance created by the two screens may make it a bit less personal, but it does allow you to make a favorable impression, take time to respond and space to decide how you are going to respond.
On the other hand, meeting people online can be a bit scary for some, because you never really know who you are dealing with. But technology has not stood still in this area either. Thanks to the many safety features and security measures, it is easier than ever to verify someone’s identity. Just type your own name into Google and you will see how easily others can determine whether you are ‘real’.
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9 Reasons to Meet People Online
One of the many reasons to meet new people online is because you can . You don’t have to go out anymore. You hardly have to do anything, it’s made that easy for you. And that’s not the only reason. Here are nine more reasons to meet people online.
1. It broadens your horizons
By connecting with people online, you can meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. Unlike offline, where you meet people from the same layer, online you can meet people from different layers of society. If you’re tired of dating people in your own area, you can also date people on the other side of the Netherlands. Or with people who have completely different interests than you.
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2. It is always possible
A common reason people meet online is because it’s always possible. You can log onto a dating app in the early hours of the morning and chat with other night owls. Bored in the dentist’s waiting room? Or killing time in a traffic jam? There’s no wrong place to do it, which makes it an ideal way to meet people for busy people.
3. You have the same goal
The people you meet online often have the same goal. That is also meeting people. So you know in advance that these people are online for the same reason. You don’t have to worry about offending someone or approaching them for a conversation without asking, because that is exactly why they are online on the platform.
4. It is safe
Another reason why people meet online is that they find it safer. You can get to know someone online before deciding whether or not to meet in person. It gives you a taste of what someone is like without risking your physical safety. Of course, people behave differently online than they do in real life, so caution is always advised.
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5. It is accessible
If it’s been a while since you’ve been on a date, you can “practice” connecting online. Or if you’re shy, you can still talk to people in a comfortable way without making yourself vulnerable. Connecting online is a great place to start for those who feel awkward or shy about approaching people. Instant messaging allows you to passively communicate without the pressure of real-life conversations. As you build confidence online, you can use these skills in other areas of your life.
6. People share more ‘online’
Starting conversations online is much easier than face-to-face. This also makes people more open to sharing their emotional and personal struggles. Despite revealing your identity, it still brings a sense of anonymity. This makes people feel more comfortable sharing their problems and thoughts with others.
7. Similar interests
Having a common interest is the best way to connect. And the virtual world gives you quick access to people with similar interests, for example with Facebook Groups and the advanced filters and tags of dating apps . If you have the same interests as someone else, the conversation flows much more smoothly. Talking about the things you have in common also ensures that a discussion does not quickly become boring.
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8. You have a lot of choice
When you search your local area for someone to start a relationship or friendship with, your search is usually limited to the people in your area. Of course, the online world gives you many more choices, more potential partners and more potential friends. You can get to know different types of people and if you communicate with them regularly, you will become familiar with their preferences. You can then also more easily determine whether the person you are interacting with is a match or not.
9. Rejection is not a big problem
No one likes to be rejected. Whether it’s dating or friendship, rejections are never fun. But rejections are very different online than offline. An online rejection is not a big deal at all, because they are often passive rejections that are not spoken – for example, you are ignored. And even if you are rejected by someone, you can just move on to another person, because there are many more people available.
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