Online Dating Addiction
Along with the many benefits online dating offers come some negatives. We've all heard about the risks - the fake singles, scam artists, and their ilk. What's been little-discussed is a recent affliction some regular online daters end up falling into: online dating addiction.
Online dating can be quite a rush. It's like finding a goldmine of prospects from all over the world. Even better when you turn out to be popular among them. Your ego is certain to blow up after getting 100 introduction requests from people armed with their sweetest compliments.
While spending an inordinate amount of time flirting and interacting online isn't wrong in and of itself, it can be affecting other areas of your life adversely. Try to go down our checklist and see if you fall into one of these behavior patterns. You might not yet be addicted but the following are warning signs. If any of these describe you, it might be time to re-evaluate why you're participating in online dating anyway.
1. You spend lots of time flirting online and make no effort to take the interaction offline.
Sure, it's not bad for you. But if you're clocking in 3 to 4 hours everyday maintaining this single life online with no intention of taking it offline, you have to question if you're still looking for love or just enjoying a digital version of the "thrill of the chase."
2. You're deriving pleasure from the quantity of people you meet instead of the quality of romantic prospects you encounter.
Meeting new people is fun. Millions of people spend considerable time doing that everyday, not just on dating sites but on social networks and blogs as well. Are you happy with this activity? You most likely joined a dating site to find romance and a potential lover, not fill your email address book with new friends. Perhaps its time to ask yourself whether you're getting what you truly want or just passing time.
3. Your social life consists of online dating sites.
If you're using online dating as a substitute for a social life, you're heading down a long, lonely road. Granted, our busy world can demand so much from us that keeping up with real relationships can be difficult. Spending all your time in online dating isn't the solution.
Online services are meant to enhance people's social and romantic experiences, not replace it. If you find it taking the place of a balanced social life, you may want to reconsider.
Addicted To Love
Are you addicted to online love? If you think you are, take a break and enjoy the offline world for a bit. There are no support groups for online dating addiction so your best solution is to abstain for a short while.
Hit the clubs with your friends or go on a speed dating event to meet new singles in an alternative way. It's not only a good way to broaden your prospects, it will likely help your online pursuit as well.