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Boomers Finding That Link to Internet Dating
By
Michael A. Piekarz
Staff Writer
If the character, Yente, from “Fiddler on the Roof” was
fast forwarded in time to 2006, chances are she’d have a high-speed
internet connection as the Web is rapidly becoming the preferred
way for people to meet what they hope will become their “significant
other.”
A quick Google search using the phrase “senior dating” results in
nearly 15,000,000 hits. Many of these hits are internet dating sites catering
solely to seniors, and some don’t even allow people under 50 to become
members.
Early on, internet dating was considered the playground of bold youngsters who
braved technology and the ever present anonymous lurker in search of a “soul
mate.”
Today, internet dating has become more established, and the single boomer is
a hot commodity. At Match.com, one of the first computer dating services, the
50 and older crowd is the fastest growing segment.
Part of the internet’s appeal to boomers is its speed and a somewhat impersonal
nature. Many seniors who search the Net hope for an ideal mate, and they often
find that mate without having to play the traditional dating game.
Ironically, the desire to find a “soul mate” often leads to disappointment
when reality collides with fantasy.
“A ‘soul mate’ is the dumbest thing people can look for,” says
Dr. Frank Pittman, a family therapist.
Internet dating sites tend to be as varied as the people who use them. Many Websites
use personality tests to match prospective dates. These sites market themselves
using the lure of compatibility to justify a hefty membership fee, and most are
fiercely competitive in scoring a slot in the boomer market.
In many cases, the choice of internet dating over traditional methods is simply
one of practicality. Singles clubs and bars are not directed to seniors. Additionally,
many seniors mistakenly think they are no longer as attractive as they once were.
Physical limitations that inevitably come with age further complicate things.
Internet dating is often a solution to these problems. “As people get older,
they definitely start dropping a lot of the look requirements they have in their
mind,” says Joe Tracy, publisher of the Web-based Online Dating Magazine. “They’re
more successful at finding what they want, and that’s why they do well
with personality sites that match them; it’s easier for them to skip over
the players.”
Internet dating Web sites differ, and most charge a fee to allow a user full
access to their services. In addition to personal appeal, potential Web site
users should check each prospective site’s terms of use, privacy policy
and other relevant features.
There are literally hundreds of internet match-making websites. Some of the more
popular sites include Date.com, eHarmony, Match.com and uDate.com. Many sites
cater to specific audiences based on age, religion, sexual preferences or political
affiliations. The audience is often disclosed in site names like BabyBoomerPeopleMeet,
ChristianSingles.com, Gay.com or Jdate (which focuses on Jewish singles).
Online dating should be approached with a degree of caution by seniors, especially
in California, which ranks in the top 10 for internet fraud.
According to Gail Marcinkiewicz, a Boston spokeswoman for the FBI, people should
be aware of internet dating scams and said such scams are not limited simply
to those seeking love online. “It also happens with off-line relationships,” Marcinkiewicz
said. “So many people lose caution and give away money. They should be
more careful.”
Internet complaints can be sent to the National White Collar Crime Center in
Richmond, Va., which works with the FBI, Marcinkiewicz said. Victims are encouraged
to make complaints to www.ifcc fbi.gov.
The Web community is also taking steps to lower the risk of internet dating.
Several e-groups and Web communities exist for networking between victims. A
prominent one is accessible by clicking HERE.
Seniors who want to find romance without the hassle of the singles scene shouldn’t
be put off by fear of failure or scams. Like anything else, internet dating can
be a rewarding experience provided the time and effort are taken to do it right.
This page and its contents ©2006
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
