By LAJU ARENYEKA

Needless to say, technology has permeated every area of life, especially relation-ships. Love notes and letters have been replaced by text messages and pings while long skype interactions now substitute face-to-face dates. But beyond facilitating relationships, the internet is redefining romance by playing the role of matchmaker.

The days where one needed a friend to connect with a host of other friends are fast becoming obsolete- A little tap on the net does the magic!

Recent studies show that digital dating is the second most common way that couples get together, after meeting through friends. Check out these statistics:  Ten Americans have used an online dating site or mobile dating app; 66% of these online daters have gone on a date with someone they met through a dating site or app, and 23% have met a spouse or long term partner through these sites.

Experts suggest that current trends hold, come 2015 online dating sites may be the most common way for somebody to enter into a new relationship or meet their future spouse.another study, 38% of married couples met through family and friends, 27% met through school, while 17% met online.

A 3-second search on Google for ‘online dating’ will reveal nearly 600 million hits, and online dating sites are becoming the next best thing in e-venture. Experts agree that meeting people through online dates helps avoid the anxiety that comes with initiating a romantic relationship and it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out that people can be at their best when they aren’t anxious.

Also, couples that would otherwise not have ended up together as a result of geographical boundaries or time constraints have a level playing ground online.  However, can we say that in the light of these, the ubiquitous nature of online dating is a good development? Or are there more disadvantages to this trend?

There are many reasons why Africans, for instance, are skeptical about online dating. Remember Cynthia Osokogu, the 25 year old who was killed in Lagos in 2012? She met her killers on facebook. What about the scam emails you get from supposedly young ladies who saw your profile and took interest in you?

They could be male fraudsters for all you know. Sometimes, the disadvantages of online dating aren’t as grotesque as murder, but they can be hurtful nonetheless; Paupers pretending to be Princes, men posing as women, not too pretty girls lying that they are Miss World and married men claiming to be single…! The list goes on and on.

So, how can you explore the gains of online dating without falling into its deathly traps?

•Get a referral:

To be on the safe side, don’t think of getting serious with someone who does not at least know someone that knows you personally. Someone should be able to vouch for that person to avoid things from going awry.

•Watch for the ATM syndrome:

Don’t be fooled. Lots of fraudsters build an online relationship simple to obtain cash from people who are starved for love. When the person begins to ask for money, especially early in the relationship. RUN.

•Don’t dive in too fast:

Protect yourself emotionally until you have met this person in the flesh. Words like ‘I love you’ and steamy pictures of yourself can wait till an actual relationship begins.

•Conversation starters:

Avoid people who pay needless compliments and give smooth talk when they barely know you. Discuss interests and likes, find out what both of you have in common before going emotional.

•Sooner rather than later: Sooner rather than later, meet the person face to face. Don’t make it a private affair for security reasons. It could be in a public place with a group of friends. Investigate. Meet members of his or her family, and then decide how you want to play the game.