‘Online dating is easy, but be careful’

Selvam, marriage and family therapist at Rekindle Centre for Systemic Therapy, offers some tips for online dating hopefuls.

Online dating only allows for limited knowledge. You only know what the other person wants you to know about them.

As for finding a life partner, people find their soulmates in many situations, why not online dating? We just have to be careful and smart about connecting with strangers online.

There will always be a need to give and take in a relationship, without keeping score. It should be a fluid process. This is why having a good friendship with your partner is important. It helps us not to take advantage of them or take them for granted.

Think about it. Don’t we sometimes treat our friends better than our partner? without hesitation. And, if they want to meet, ensure that the first few meetings are in public areas, during the day and, if possible, with friends.

I believe anyone who tries online dating should be cautious about the information and pictures that are sent online.

I think it’s very different from an arranged marriage, where parents and family members are involved. In online dating, many websites and apps only allow the user to choose the person they want to get to know, either based on first impressions or on similar likes and dislikes.